Here we go Steelers, here we go! That was the chant on Heinz Field today, as we defeated the Washington Redskins 16-7. Throw in the constant waving of gold “terrible towels” (a Pittsburgh trademark) and it’s not hard to see the enthusiasm for this team. And who wouldn’t be excited? With a 10-1 record, one that hasn’t been achieved since the 1978 Pittsburgh team (the Super Bowl champions) and a virtual lock to be the AFC North winners, this 2004 team seems destined to go all the way. I am willing to bet on that, and so will you by the end of this article.

              Defense. One word, one team. The Pittsburgh Steelers have the league’s best defense with players such as Troy Polamalu who has tackled 60 times and had four interceptions this season, James Farrior who is having his best season of his entire career, Chris Hope, Deshea Townsend, Joey Porter and more. Together, we allow the fewest yards rushing and the fourth fewest yards passing per game of the entire NFL. Our defense, nicknamed the Steel Curtain, has bailed us out of several games when our offense took a hit (most recently against Cincinnati) proving the old adage “offense wins games but defense wins championships” wrong. However, I still believe in the last half of that saying!

              Our offense, which used to hold us back, has flourished this season under the guiding hands of Ben Rothlisberger, our rookie quarterback turned starter when Tommy Maddox was injured in the second game of the season, seemingly by a twist of fate. As an ESPN commentator wouldn’t stop repeating, Rothlisberger is a blend of today’s best quarterbacks, demonstrating the skills of Brett Favre, the height of Dante Culpepper, and the mobility of Donovan McNabb. I recently watched with amazement as he thwarted three players, and looped around blockers for almost twenty seconds before completing a twelve-yard pass. That kind of calmness and Ben’s leadership on the field are emblematic of a great player who will go far, and take his team with him.

             Finally, although we have had several key injuries this season that would normally hold a team back, whoever replaced the starting player has stepped up in a big way. The most noteworthy example is that of Jerome Bettis, in for Duce Staley all of five games now, and rushing over a hundred yards in each of them. Living up to his nickname “the bus” you can be sure that if need be, he’ll provide a one way ticket to the Super Bowl this year.

             The Steelers have proved they can face any challenge, beating the only two teams still undefeated this season, and ending the New England Patriots 21 game win streak. The players have shown they are ready for more action, and the fans can’t wait to back them up. Beware other teams, ‘cause the 2004 Steelers will not disappoint anyone. That’s a guarantee. Anyone want to bet on that?

By Sydney Dubois