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One further thing in the Steelers favour I think is that with the Bengals playing tough and the Ravens not yet out of touch, they are going to have to play right through to week 17, keeping up the intensity to ensure they get home-field advantage.

But I agree that overall, they look a complete and solid unit - I was really not that surprised to see them win in Denver, not after they had kept Minnesota at bay, and not with Polomalu out there to make sure Brandon Marshall could find no space underneath.

Genuine Superbowl contenders, especially with the O-line and running game coming along very nicely.

Good blog. The Saints look fearsome but you have to question how often they can come back from behind. It's onething coming from 10+ points down in the regular season, but if you're in that hole in the play-offs it's a whole lot harder. The Colts seem to have fairly quietly moved to 8-0 but they are proven at the business end of the season.

the Steelers however are improving as the weeks go by, which is really where you want to be. You can afford to lose a few games near the start of the season as long as you're in tune come the play-offs, and that's what looks to be happenin.

Neil, great blog as always, very much enjoy reading your views on whats going on in the NFL week to week. Pittsburgh do look very strong but they would have to come through a Colts team that looks unplayable when Peyton is on his game!! From one Manning to the other, Eli and the Giants, if they can rid themselves of the fundamental errors they are making, are they still a Superbowl Calibre team? Or have the young receivers been figured out/the Giants easy start being show up as a false pretence now they are playing stronger teams? Would love to hear your thoughts on this!

Good Blog. The Steelers are looking strong especially in their last two games. I believe that the Steelers and the Patriots are the two teams to be really looking at for the super bowl this year. I think the Pats have extended their game this year to further than just giving Brady the ball, they're whole offensive line looks better and I believe they made something like 7 consecutive running plays against the dolphins this weekend, which is unheard of by the Patriots. So i'm definately looking forward to seeing how both the Steelers and Patriots get on in the next month or two.

I'm also interested in how Dallas get on because they have been showing some good performance and personally shocked me beating the Eagles in Philly on Sunday.

Neil, fair comment the Steelers are back and rolling teams over again. No surprise that the resurgence comes with the return of Troy Polamalu, out after game one and now back and fit. He cements this team's defence, in the same way as Big Ben makes them tick going forwards. Can't overemphasise the value of this guy as a defensive weapon of mass destruction. Are they going all the way again? Not sure, but then again this is starting to have a familiar look to it. This year, like last year, they won't have the best regular season record - I guess that'll be the Colts. However, the Steelers are the post season team. I'd love to see the Saints do it and confound everyone, but the reality check is that one of the big three quarterbacks, Brady, Ben or Peyton will take the Superbowl. Which one, too close to call yet - ask again at Christmas!

Neil, good blog.
Whilst you rightly say the limelight has been on the unbeaten teams I think history proves that #1 seed does not guarantee you a ring.
I think I'm right in saying that only one #1 seed has won superbowl in the last decade.
What this tells me is you need a team going into post season who is just hitting form, a team who may have had problems earlier in the year but have resolved them.
Pittsburgh could fall into that catagory and having 'been there, done that' they won't be concerned with tough road trips in January.
It's half-time in regular season, none of the 4-4 sides are out of it, even the 3-5 teams can mount play off challenges, but I agree that it would be a brave man to bet against the Steelers.
In fact, I would be backing the likes of Steelers at 6-2 before I back either of the 8-0 sides right now...

As a steelers fan i was disappointed with our start being defending champs.
But the last 5 games things have really started to come together again.
I agree that there are a with the colts and saints sat on 8-0 they should be kept an eye on but it is only midway through the regular season.
My main concern this year is if we get an injury to big ben we could fall short of the play offs.
The team to watch in my opinion is the saints though. They look very difficult to beat at the minute.

"My main concern this year is if we get an injury to big ben we could fall short of the play offs."

With most teams in contention getting an injury to a QB is a major worry. The Colts and Saints would certainly have major issues if Manning or Brees were to get injured and we know what happened with NE when Brady was injured.
Of all the teams in contention; I think the Vikings and Broncos would most likely be able to maintain their current standards (neither convince me they are ready for the Superbowl) with an injury at QB.

Good blog as always Neil and it seems the usual suspects are gathering in the AFC and gaining momentum at the right time. San Diego got a huge win at the weekend and with a win at home versus Philli will be right in the play-off hunt.

I fully expect the AFC play-off line up to be NE, Indy, Pitts, SD with Denver and the Cinci being the other 2. This can only be bad news for Indy as they really dont want SD in the play-offs again.

Fair shout Ravens_Defense_DOW_Rex_Comeback_PLEASE.
but i dont know how reliable our back up QB is as he hasnt been tested for some time.

Nice to see Mike Wallace get a lot of praise. And Hines Ward just gets better every year. Also, Big Ben is on for a big season. The road to the AFC championship goes through pittsburgh.

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