The end of the ‘04-’05 season left a sour taste in the mouths of many Steelers fans. Unhappy that they failed to make the Super Bowl, many people will be expecting big things from this year’s team. In order to make the playoffs, there will be hurdles that the team will have to overcome.

As fans know, the offense struggled badly in the preseason and the first team failed to reach the end zone. Big Ben was horrible and the wide receivers were inconsistent. Although they finished the preseason with a 3-1 record, there was still reason to be concerned. During the first two weeks of the season, my doubts were put to rest as the Steelers pulled off 34-7 and 27-7 wins respectively against the Titans and Texans. Although neither defense was that impressive, Roethlisberger put up solid numbers and the wide receivers played well.

Another concern I had going into the opener was the running game. With both Deuce Staley and Jerome Bettis sidelined for the opener, Willie Parker assumed the starting duties. At the outset of the season, I admit, I had my doubts about Parker. I wasn’t sure whether he’d be the bruising runner the Steelers are used to having in Bettis and I thought he might be a little undersized for the Steelers offense. But he proved me wrong, rushing for over 100 yards and a touchdown in each game. Although the two defenses Parker rushed against were weak, it is a good starting point and I expect more from him in coming weeks.

The Steelers defense should be one of the top units in the league once again this year. Led by James Farrior’s career year, the Steelers arguably have the top linebacker unit in the league. In some aspects, many considered the secondary a weakness last year, as I thought the Steelers gave up too many long pass plays. In the first two games, the secondary was very strong, especially safety Troy Polamalu (9 tackles, 3 sacks, and an interception), who has turned into one of the top safeties in the league. As long as the cornerbacks can prevent the deep passes, they should be all right. Overall, the defense played very well the opening weeks of the season, allowing only one touchdown in each game.

The Steelers will have to deal with some tough competition within the division this year. At the beginning of the season, I thought Baltimore would contend for the division title, but after an 0-2 start, I am having my doubts. After years of poor football, it looks like the Bengals are for real, with two big wins early in the season. The two games between the Bengals and the Steelers later in the year will be key in deciding the winner of the AFC North.

All in all, I don’t expect another 15-1 regular season from the Steelers, but anything less then a trip to the Super Bowl would be a major disappointment to many fans.