Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers have high hopes for this season, and anything short of a Super Bowl would be probably considered a disappointment. Even with the high expectations, Roethlisberger knows the Steelers aren't the team to beat in the AFC, that honor belongs to the New England Patriots. Via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

“I think you have to look at who won it. The Eagles are the team to beat in the NFL. The Patriots won the AFC, so they’re the team to beat. I’d like to think we’re a good enough football team to be talked about as a team to beat, but when it comes down to it it’s all about the team that won it last year.”

Last year, the Patriots were the team to beat, and the Steelers focus on them probably cost them their chance in the AFC Championship Game.

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Coach Mike Tomlin and some of the other players were talking about the Patriots before their showdown with the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC Divisional round.

The Steelers ended up losing to the Jaguars, and they got to move on to face the Patriots. Roethlisberger isn't getting any younger, and there are questions about how much longer he will play. There is a chance the Steelers window to win another Super Bowl in this decade is only a couple more years, and they need to play this season with a sense of urgency.

As long as Roethlisberger stays healthy, Pittsburgh has a good chance to dethrone the Patriots this year.