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Dan TM is Stupendous Man said 09/25, 03:42 PM
First of all, I think it's problematic to use so much evidence from two years ago. But given that's how you want to argue this...
Here are some key differences from the Steelers' champion team:
Jerome Bettis - gone
Antwaan Randle El - gone
Joey Porter - gone
Kimo von Oelhoffen - gone
Bill Cowher, Ken Whisenhunt, Russ Grimm - gone
Jeff Hartings - gone
Chris Hope - gone
Not devastating losses, but Bettis and Randle El were important X-factors for that team, and their offensive identity was different due to different coaches; Big Ben is throwing a lot more than Cowher ever wanted him to.
It's been working so far, but you can't say this is the same team.
Another problem with your argument is... Didn't they have even closer to the same team last year? What happened then?
Finally, I'm not saying the Steelers can't beat the elite--Miami can beat the elite on the right day--I'm saying the Steelers AREN'T elite. I think they're the 3rd best team in the league, but the elite-status cutoff is after Indianapolis at #2.

Dan TM is Stupendous Man said 09/25, 04:45 PM
First, I brought up all the changes because your entire first argument was based on the Steelers' being the same team as two years ago, and they are not. And you didn't address the biggest difference, the coaching.

Elite status happens wherever there's a clear division between the best tier in the league, and the second-best tier in the league. Here's why the Patriots and Colts are significantly better than the Steelers:

A lot of fans underestimate how different a game against a division rival is. Because they play each other at least twice every single year, the teams know each other and are much more capable to cause an upset, or at least make a game closer than it should be.

The Patriots have decimated two division rivals. They beat the Bills BY MORE THAN THE STEELERS DID, and they beat the Jets by almost as much. Sure, the Steelers killed the Browns in similar fashion, but what's more impressive, beating a 2006 playoff team led by Chad Pennington or a 4-12 team led by Charlie Frye? And finally, you say the Chargers "look like garbage right now." They're not going 14-2, but "garbage" is a little harsh - they've played 3 fantastic defenses.

more below

Dan TM is Stupendous Man said 09/25, 04:59 PM
Romo's "clinic" didn't really start until 3 of the Bears' Pro Bowlers were out for the game. San Diego had a whole game against those guys, plus half a game against Mike Brown and Dusty Dvoracek, who Romo didn't have to play. They were hardly playing against the same team.
"Coaching is the same philosophy except now Pitt is more dangerous, because now Ben throws more instead of always trying to work to get third and two for the Bus." - sounds like a different philosophy to me. Defensively they're still doing the same thing, which I applaud Tomlin for - I was afraid he'd try to do things his own way instead of letting LeBeau run. But this is a different team on offense.
The Patriots and Colts have been consistently good for years. And both look even better this year. No one else comes close.