The Man of Steel

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Farrior is leading a defense that has been recharged by the return of Dick LeBeau as defensive coordinator. Formerly head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals, LeBeau has reinstituted the Steelers' aggressive "Blitzburgh" defense. Farrior, a solid though unspectacular player in his first seven years, has thrived in the new system, earning comparisons with Baltimore's Ray Lewis, considered the best defensive player in the NFL. Entering the last game of the regular season, the Steelers had allowed only 258 yards a game, the lowest in the NFL.

Pittsburgh has a first-round bye going into the play-offs, which will give Roethlisberger, who bruised his ribs on Christmas weekend, Bettis and other nicked Steelers time to recover. Art Rooney II, for one, senses something big: "We don't put all the dice in one year. But there's a special feeling in this organization and in this city about this team, and hopefully we've got some intangibles going for us this year that will help us make it happen." And help a weary city relive its glory, if just for one Super Bowl Sunday. --With reporting by Chris Maag/Pittsburgh