All of the Sudden...

All of the Sudden by Steel Tank

Bang! Just like that � the Steelers have vaulted themselves from the dire straits of �the toughest schedule in NFL� to perhaps the odds-on favorite to be atop the AFC heading into the playoffs 16 weeks from now. Let�s be clear, it is very early in the year, but signs of a changing NFL landscape have been everywhere this pre-season. As it turns out, omens for other �good� teams in the AFC have proved far more real than the brutal schedule the Steelers will face. Consider:

Steelers � Questions were aplenty this year about the O-line and D-line being only so-so. Although not great, these units are not a detriment to the team as supposed just a couple of weeks ago. Make no mistake � the Houston Texans are a pretty good football team, but the Steelers completely embarrassed and pushed them around all day. The 2008 Steelers are a very physical and nasty group, much more so than any other team in football.

Patriots � Tom Brady, a big question mark during pre-season, didn�t look so great against the mediocre KC Chiefs and now might be lost for a good bit of the year if not all. Even if he does come back, how will the offensive line, which was exposed last January, protect him when he is likely to be less mobile or worse? Furthermore, the defense is aging and the other three teams in the AFC East have gotten better. Reminds me of the 1980 Pittsburgh Steelers who failed to make the playoffs after winning the Super Bowl in January of 1980. Age and success finally caught up to a lot of players and they would never be the same again.

Colts � Manning, also a big question mark in pre-season, just doesn�t seem to have all the tools around him anymore. Offensive line woes troubled the leagues best QB all night and the rest of the team looks very average. Marvin is back, but he�s 36 years old and maybe Reggie Wayne just isn�t as good a #1 WR as a #2. The defense is also back not being able to stop the run. This team can�t expect to go to the Super Bowl or very far in the playoffs unless things change rather dramatically.

Chargers � A home loss to Carolina without Steve Smith? The Chargers made a great run in the playoffs last year, but it would seem that Norv Turner is still Norv Turner. Two wins in the playoffs last year didn�t have the impact the experts expected. Shawn Merriman, the Chargers best defensive player, can�t last the year with a gimpy knee one torque away from sending him to the IR. Throw in turf toe for Gates and an aging Tomlinson and the Chargers window is closing fast.

Jaguars � Not as good as the experts thought coming into the season to begin with, but losing three lineman in the first game when you�re a running team just can�t be good. Besides, if the Jaguars were so good, it stands to reason that they would have overcome such obstacles and beaten the Titans who have no offense whatsoever. Garrard isn�t much more than a game manager either. Without a running game, the Jags will be hard-pressed to score.

Well, that leaves the Pittsburgh Steelers with the following positives overlooked by many heading into the season:

• Young improving linebackers
• An O-line much better than last years version
• A vastly improved QB from two years ago now entering his prime.
• Two very good, healthy RBs
• A slew of good receivers
• An experience D-line that isn�t quite old yet
• A young secondary getting better

The NFL is changing once again. New perennial contenders will emerge while others will struggle with mediocrity. The days of penciling in the Colts and Patriots as favorites to win the Super Bowl are coming to an end. Meanwhile, a team like Pittsburgh has been able to recharge itself and has suddenly become a team of grave concern for all opponents they face. It is early and there are no guarantees, but that �Tough Steeler schedule� just got a little easier and a lot of other schedules around the NFL have become a little harder.