There's a reason that Pittsburgh is rated among the top 5 teams, why it won 15 games in 2004 with a rookie QB, and the SB last year. There's also a reason why Miami hasn't been in the playoffs recently. Quite simply, Pitt has better players at most positions, and Miami still has a good ways to go yet.
QB: Roethlisberger has proven to be a pretty clutch QB even as a sophomore, even without winning a ring. Daunte hasn't yet proven that, and this is his seventh year starting. Steelers
RB: Willie Parker ran for 1200+ yards last year and former 1000-yard runner Duce Staley is his backup. Ronnie Brown and Sammy Morris/Travis Minor/Kay Jay Harris is not even close. Steelers
WR: Hines Ward has been to the Pro Bowl 4 or 5 times while Chambers has been there once. Booker and Cedric Wilson are a wash. Besides, Pitt's worst DB would probably upgrade Miami's secondary, so the Pitt WRs will have an easier time of it than the Fins'. Steelers
TE: McMichael drops too many passes. Miller doesn't. Steelers
OL: This is a dominating advantage for Pitt because it affects both the running and passing games. It's why Pitt has the advantage at QB, RB, WR, and TE. Roethlisberger will have time to throw and Willie Parker will have room to run. Daunte and Ronnie will not have what they need. Pitt has three current or former Pro Bowlers: Faneca, Hartings, and Marvel Smith. Miami has Cleveland and Buffalo rejects. It also negates Miami's advantage on the DL. Steelers
DL: Miami has Taylor who gives it a slight edge on the DL (Pitt also has a Pro Bowler in NT Casey Hampton). Miami's advantage on the DL, though, is offset by Pitt's great OL. Basically, Miami's best unit is going against Pitt's best unit. Miami
LB: Farrior and Porter are both Pro Bowlers, and the other guys are pretty good. Miami has Zach (Pro Bowl) and Crowder's decent but beyond that, the other starters are very ordinary. Steelers
Secondary: Polamalu is another All Pro, at SS, Ryan Clark (starter in 2004 and 2005 at Redskins) at FS, and DeShea Townsend are solid in the Steeler defensive backfield. Even if the Steelers had a ordinary secondary, it would be better than the Fins' very weak one. This unit is going to have to get healthy and step up it's play to break "average". If teams can negate the Miami rush, the secondary gets shredded. Steelers
Kickers: This is based on what? Jeff Reed is at least as good -- he made 25 of 29 FGs and all 45 PATs. Mare in 2005 was 25/30 FGs and 33/33 on PATs. It's a wash. Steelers
Coaches: Saban vs Cowher? I'll take the guy who has proven a big winner in the NFL. Moreover, Cowher has better assistants. Dick LeBeau, DC, is like Belichick to Parcells: the defensive ace who makes the HC famous! Dom Capers might also be a "defensive genius" but LeBeau's better. As for OCs, there's no comparison here; Mularkey isn't in the same area code as Whisenhunt. Whisenhunt improved the entire Pitt offense, with a rookie QB, from 22nd (under Mularkey) to 16th in 2004. The running game went from 31st to 2nd in 2004. Pitt was again 16th in offense in 2005 with the running game 5th best. Steelers
Unless Miami can cause turnovers and not have any of it's own, I'm afraid this game goes to the Steelers by at least a TD and maybe more, especially since it's at Heinz Field. If Miami can't do something to improve its oline in a hurry, it may be a very long evening for Daunte and Ronnie.
