It's Super Bowl or bust. All that stuff about being ranked No. 1 in scoring defense, pass defense and total defense during the regular season will be all for nothing if the Pittsburgh Steelers do not win the Super Bowl. To a man, the Steelers know that in order for them to be considered the best defense in NFL history, they need to win the Super Bowl.
To be considered one of the all-time greats, the Steelers need to dominate in the playoffs. The way the Steel Curtain did in the 1970s, the way the Chicago Bears did in 1986, the way the New York Giants did in 1987 and 1991, and the way the Baltimore Ravens did in 2001.
The 1991 Philadelphia Eagles, headed by Hall of Famer Reggie White, Clyde Simmons, Seth Joyner and Eric Allen, were rated No. 1 all across the board (rush, pass and total defense), but did not win a championship so only the hardcore football fan remembers them.
The 2008 Steelers know that if they want to be considered one of the best defensively, they need to do it during money time. They need to be great when the stakes are at its highest. They need to shut teams down in the playoffs. It's the only the Steelers are going to advance because, let's face it, their offense is not very good.
Aaron Smith and Casey Hampton need to push piles. James Harrison needs to play like the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year. LaMarr Woodley needs to apply serious pressure on the QB. James Farrior needs to be solid against the run and the pass. Lawrence Timmons needs to show everyone why the Steelers drafted him No. 1 last year. Ike Taylor, Bryant McFadden and Deshea Townsend need to prevent the big play in the passing game. Ryan Clark needs to be healthy. And Troy Polamalu needs to play like an All-Pro.
The playoffs are here and it's time for the Steelers to show the pro football world that they are, indeed, the best unit to ever play defense. They need to show it against the Chargers. They need to show it in the AFC championship, whether it would be at Tennessee or Heinz Field. And they need to show it in the Super Bowl, if they're lucky enough to get there.
Good defenses post "nice" stats during the season. But "great" defenses post victories during the playoffs. We will find out if these Steelers are up to the challenge and are worthy of being called a GREAT defense.
Keywords: defense, Pittsburgh Steelers
