After a devastating Week 1 loss to the division rival Baltimore Ravens (35-7), the defending AFC champion Pittsburgh Steelers were thought to be an aging football team that might not be able to contend with the best of the best in the AFC Conference this season. With all the big-name veterans on the Steelers defense no longer being young bucks, the consensus was that the Steelers were in for a long disappointing season in which the Ravens would take over as the best team in the AFC North division.

As if the loss to the Ravens in Week 1 wasn’t bad enough for the Steelers, the chemistry of the team seemed to have disappeared altogether. Ben Roethlisberger’s play under center wasn’t terrible, but definitely needed a boost in order to get this offense back on track and fortunately Big Ben started to step up his game week after week.

Coming into Week 7, the Pittsburgh Steelers were set to square off against the Arizona Cardinals who had won just one game all season long. Despite losing five straight games, the Cardinals were able to give the Steelers a run for their money, but Big Ben and company were able to get past Kevin Kolb’s squad to get their third win in a row.

With this win over the Cardinals, the Steelers have been able to gain some ground in the AFC North division and break into the NFL power rankings for the first time this season. Next week will be the true test for the Pittsburgh Steelers though as they will host the 5-1 New England Patriots.

If the Pittsburgh Steelers can get the best of the New England Patriots in Week 8, Mike Tomlin’s squad will no doubt be one of the best in the league yet again and a legitimate Super Bowl title contender from here on out.

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