Steelers 2005 and 2008 teams disrespected in ‘NFL’s 100 greatest teams of all-time’

The Pittsburgh Steelers possessed one of the best NFL dynasties in the mid-to-late 2000’s. Here’s why they were disrespected in recent rankings.

Unfortunately, I haven’t been around long enough to experience the iconic Steelers teams of the 70’s. I grew up in the 90’s, and I don’t remember any further back than the Kordell Stewart era.

However, it’s not hard to recognize a great team when you see one. The Patriots have had the best dynasty in football for years now – perhaps even surpassing the 49ers of the 80’s.

In the mid-to-late 2000’s, the Steelers were on top of the world. They produced one of the best defenses the NFL has seen, and saw two different defenders receive the AP’s Defensive Player of the Year award.

Pittsburgh had stars at all levels with players like Casey Hampton, James Harrison, and Troy Polamalu. Offensively, they possessed a Hall of Fame wide receiver, a future Hall of Fame quarterback, and a pair of Super Bowl MVP’s.

Still, when it came to ranking the top 100 football teams of all-time, the 2005 and 2008 Super Bowl winning Steelers teams were disrespected.

Nate Davis of USA Today recently ranked the top 100 football teams of all-time, and Pittsburgh’s teams of the 2000’s weren’t favored well.

Out of the 100 best single-season teams, the 2005 Steelers were ranked 62nd and the 2008 Steelers were ranked 71st.

Topping the list in 1st and 2nd place were the ’85 and ’84 Chicago Bears teams, respectively. Some of the teams ahead of the 2005 and 2008 Steelers included the 1983 Redskins, the 1990 Giants, and the 2003 Patriots.

Pittsburgh’s 15-1 team of 2004 (Ben Roethlisberger’s rookie season) did not make the top 100 list.

In 2005, the Steelers defense allowed 3,168 passing yards with 15 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. They gave up just 3.4 yards per carry on the ground, and out-rushed their opponents by nearly 1,000 yards.

The 2008 team was even more impressive. They allowed just 2,511 passing yards with 12 touchdowns and 20 interceptions (Polamalu accounting for 7 of them). They also gave up just 3.3 yards per carry on the ground, and averaged a yard more per play then their opponents.

Despite all of these accomplishments and capping these seasons off with Super Bowl victories, the Steelers shockingly find themselves disrespected in these rankings.

Regardless of what Nate Davis has to say about the Steelers of the 2000’s, we all know they were one of the most dominant defenses of all-time. The 2005 and 2008 Steelers will still go down in my book as some of the best teams the NFL has seen.