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Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics from NFL.com
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NFL AFC North 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers
Published: 2005-09-01
2004 record: 15-1 (won AFC North)
Playoffs:
Won AFC Divisional vs. New York Jets, 20-17 (OT)
Lost AFC Conference vs. New England Patriots, 41-27
Offense:
The Steelers offense ranked 2nd in the NFL (1st in AFC) in rush yards/game (154), 28th in pass yards/game (170), and 11th in points/game (23.3). The offense is all about the run game and they were the only team last season to log > 600 carries. Bruiser running backs Jerome Bettis and Duce Staley combined for nearly 1,800 rush yards behind an excellent offensive line headed by pro-bowlers, guard Alan Faneca and center Jeff Hartings. Guard Kendall Simmons fills in for the departed Keydrick Vincent (Baltimore Ravens). Running backs Willie Parker and Verron Haynes are the smaller/faster backups and round out a deep backfield. Tough all-pro wide receiver and team leader Hines Ward ended his holdout and returns as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s biggest security blanket, which he’ll need to repeat his unprecedented rookie run during the regular season. Roethlisberger’s passer rating (98.1) ranked him 5th in the NFL (3rd in AFC) and was key to last season’s success, despite slipping in the playoffs.
Roethlisberger returns to a similar offensive unit from last year and will need to seriously outplay Kyle Boller (Baltimore Ravens) to retain the division title. Last year’s # 2 wide receiver Plaxico Burress (New York Giants) was lost to free agency and will probably be replaced by the smaller free agent addition Cedric Wilson (San Francisco 49ers) with Antwaan Randle El in the slot. Both receivers will need to step up to help keep pressure off Ward. The Steelers selected in the 1st round, tight end Heath Miller (Virginia) and he may get some end zone plays to fill in for the loss of Burress (led receivers with 5 touchdowns).
Defense:
The aggressive Steelers defense was tops last season and ranked 1st in the NFL in yards/game (258.4) , rush yards/game (81.2), and points/game (15.7). Also ranked 4th in pass yards (177.2). Nose tackle Casey Hampton (missed 10 games to injury) returns to the middle of the 3-4 scheme and will join the team’s sack leader (8), defensive end Aaron Smith, on a deep line. The linebackers are solid and form one of the league’s best units, headed by all-pros James Farrior and Joey Porter. Linebacker Kendrell Bell, who missed most of last season to injury, has been signed by the Kansas City Chiefs. The secondary is led by all-pro strong safety Troy Polamalu, who led the Steelers in interceptions (5), pass defenses (14) and was 2nd in tackles (94). Polamalu emerged as an immediate impact playmaker as a rookie and is joined by solid zone coverage defensive backs. The defense is solid, especially the front 7, who’s aggressive schemes compensate for the lack of deep ball cover ability by the cornerbacks, Deshea
Townsend and Willie Williams. Cornerback Chad Scott (New England Patriots) was released. The Steelers defense are an intense, physical unit and except for the return of Hampton, the lineup returns unchanged. The defense should produce similar results to last season.
Overall:
Overall:
Bill Cowher’s team will contend again in the playoffs, but AFC competition is much tougher this season. Prediction: 1st in AFC North.
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Betting Odds
| Odds to Win: | |
Open | |
Line | |
Bet365 | |
VipSports | |
BetCris | |
Bodog | |
| Super Bowl XL | |
8/1 | |
8/1 | |
17/1 | |
13/1 | |
12/1 | |
14.5/1 | |
| AFC Conference | |
4/1 | |
4/1 | |
8/1 | |
6.5/1 | |
7.75/1 | |
7/1 | |
| AFC North | |
Even | |
Even | |
2.4/1 | |
6/5 | |
1.2/1 | |
1.85/1 | |
(as of 9/01/05)
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2005 Pittsburgh Steelers Schedule
Preseason
Mon, Aug 15 Philadelphia W38-31
Sat, Aug 20 Miami W17-3
Fri, Aug 26 at Washington L10-17
Thu, Sep 1 at Carolina
Regular Season
Sun, Sep 11 Tennessee 1:00 PM
Sun, Sep 18 at Houston 1:00 PM
Sun, Sep 25 New England 4:15 PM
BYE WEEK
Mon, Oct 10 at San Diego 9:00 PM
Sun, Oct 16 Jacksonville 1:00 PM
Sun, Oct 23 at Cincinnati 1:00 PM
Mon, Oct 31 Baltimore 9:00 PM
Sun, Nov 6 at Green Bay 4:15 PM
Sun, Nov 13 Cleveland 8:30 PM
Sun, Nov 20 at Baltimore 4:15 PM
Mon, Nov 28 at Indianapolis 9:00 PM
Sun, Dec 4 Cincinnati 1:00 PM
Sun, Dec 11 Chicago 1:00 PM
Sun, Dec 18 at Minnesota 1:00 PM
Sat, Dec 24 at Cleveland 1:00 PM
Sun, Jan 1 Detroit 1:00 PM
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