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Top 10 favorites for Super Bowl 56: Chiefs lead the way

By Mike Phillips

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 11: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action against the Cleveland Browns on January 11, 2021, at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 11: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action against the Cleveland Browns on January 11, 2021, at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

9. Super Bowl 56 favorites – Pittsburgh Steelers

The fall of the Steelers was certainly one of the most fascinating storylines to watch in the second half of the season. Pittsburgh looked like a favorite to win Super Bowl 55 after an 11-0 start to the season but dropped five of its final six games to bow out on Wild Card weekend.

A major part of the problem was a significant regression from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who looked like a shell of himself by the end of the year. The Steelers’ passing game stopped taking deep shots as well, which didn’t help a running game that lacked a dynamic back.

Offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner was let go after the season and the Steelers opted to promote from within by elevating quarterbacks coach Matt Canada as his replacement. That decision serves as an indication that Pittsburgh believes poor play calling, not a scheme issue, was to blame for the offense’s second-half fade.

Roethlisberger will also need to get in better shape but the Steelers still have a tremendous defense that should receive a boost with linebacker Devin Bush returning from a torn ACL. The AFC North may be one of football’s toughest divisions next year but it will be hard to count out the Steelers from making one last Super Bowl push with Roethlisberger in 2021.

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