2007 Pittsburgh Steelers Season

Season Summary: Mike Tomlin inherited a veteran locker room, injected some youthful energy, and the transition was seamless. The defense regained their elite #1 ranking, fueled by James Harrison's breakout year and Troy Polamalu in his prime. On offense, Big Ben delivered his best season yet with 32 TDs and a passer rating second only to Tom Brady.

They started fast, controlled games with defense and balance, and showed they hadn't slipped much from the team that won a title two years earlier. But the grind of the year caught up with them. Tomlin later admitted he had "worked them to a nub," and by December, the team looked tired.

They won the division, but didn't have much left in the tank when the playoffs came. A late rally vs Jacksonville wasn't enough, and the season ended, one-and-done. Even so, it was a solid first year for Tomlin. Big Ben was at the top of his game, showing the poise of a seasoned QB, the defense was about to become legendary, and the pieces for another championship run were already in place.