John Harris of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review argues that the Steelers’ start without suspended quarterback Ben Roethlisberger proves that the team is “Super Bowl material”:
It isn’t too early to start mentioning the Steelers and legitimate Super Bowl contenders in the same sentence.
Charlie Batch turned back the clock Sunday, passing and running the Tampa Bay Buccaneers crazy. It was all coach Mike Tomlin could do not to sprint on the field and shake some sense into Batch following a 24-yard scramble in the second quarter of the Steelers’ easy 38-13 win at Raymond James Stadium.
Harris is probably right in arguing later that the press (and fans) paid too much attention to Roethlisberger’s suspension. The Steelers’ win against the Titans last week did prove that Roethlisberger’s absence matters, as the team essentially played without an offense – but that same win also proved that the Steelers’ defense can win games all by itself.