The Steelers were a team in flux a year ago, their star quarterback about to sit out a four-game suspension.
Ben Roethlisberger returned after Pittsburgh went 3-1, leading the team to its third AFC championship in six seasons. Now the bitter taste of a Super Bowl loss to Green Bay and a controversy-filled offseason have the Steelers itching to defend their AFC title. After keeping the core of their roster together, they’re loaded to make another run.
But so are plenty of other AFC teams.
Just ask Rex Ryan, who says this is the most talented Jets roster he has had since becoming New York’s coach. Oh, yeah, he guarantees — again — this is the year the Jets bring home their first Lombardi Trophy since the days of Broadway Joe.
“Everything that I’ve said in the past,” Ryan said, “is still in play.”
Bill Belichick’s New England Patriots might have something to say about that. After all, they’ve been the kings of the AFC East for eight of the last 10 years. And Tom Brady — the NFL’s MVP after 36 touchdowns and just four interceptions — has a dangerous new target in Chad Ochocinco.
“The Jets, well we’ve heard that for a few years,”
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