Was there anyone out there that can honestly say they had picked the 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers to go 9-7 and miss the playoffs? Didn’t think so, which is why you should get your tickets right away, because it definitely will not happen two years in a row, given the competitive nature of this proud, hard working, blue collar team.

The Steelers’ defense will once again be extremely good, plus they will have a healthy Troy Polamalu back after his missing eleven games last year. Linebacker LaMarr Woodley finished the season with eight consecutive games with 0.5+ sacks, the most in team history, topping Greg Lloyd’s total of six, which lead to Woodley’s leading Pittsburgh with 13.5 sacks on the year. In addition to Woodley and Polamalu, it is the combined play of the three other linebackers which is the cornerstone of this defense; James Farrior leads the team with 102 tackles, 68 solos, and 34 assists; James Harrison leads in tackles for loss (6) and forced fumbles (5) while coming in second in the sacks column with 10; Lawrence Timmons is third on the sacks list with 7 while following right behind Harrison in tackles for loss (4) and forced fumbles (4) as well. Actually, five of Pittsburgh’s top tacklers account for 12 of the team’s astounding 14 forced fumbles, a stat that will definitely turn around and win you some ball games.

Behind quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who seems to get better each year, the offense was outstanding last year, and could continue to get even better, as a consistent running game would make the 2010 version of this team very scary. Roethlisberger (337 of 506 for 4,328 yards and 26 TDs) became the franchise’s first quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards in a season, which was due greatly to having two 1,000-yard receivers – Santonio Holmes (1,248) and Hines Ward (1,167) – and 1,000-yard rusher Rashard Mendenhall (1,108), marking the first time in Steelers history that the team had a 4,000-yard passer, two 1,000-yard receivers, and a 1,000-yard rusher. Additionally, Ward, Holmes, and tight end Heath Miller all recorded 70 receptions or more – the first time three Steelers teammates have done so in franchise history. Ward has also caught at least one pass in a team-record 178 consecutive games, good for sixth on the all-time NFL list, in addition to Mendenhall becoming the seventh running back in franchise history to rush for 1,000 yards.

With all this team has going for it, last season’s fall from the playoff picture was obviously a fluke. That being said, you really need to be there when they return as one of the NFL’s elite teams, so order your 2010 Pittsburgh Steelers ticket now and enjoy a great day of football at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.