Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos

The "Final Four" is upon us. Gone are the pre-season darlings (Indianapolis, Philadelphia, New England, San Diego, Minnesota and Atlanta). What's before you are the 4 best teams in the NFL. There's no room for debate on this, it's who is left standing. If you want to be a rube and say "Well, Indianapolis is still the best team in the NFL", then you're an idiot. If they were the best team in the NFL, they'd be playing this Sunday. It is as simple as that. If any team other than Denver, Seattle, Pittsburgh and Carolina are in your Top 4 NFL teams, you know nothing about the NFL.

I really enjoyed what I did for last week's Redskins-Seahawks game, so I'm going to stick with that position-by-position format for these two huge games on Sunday:

Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos - 3pm - CBS

Quarterbacks: Pittsburgh has Big Ben, the enormous 2nd-year QB that has clearly separated himself as the best QB of the 2004 class. He's got a strong arm, surprising mobility and manages the game very well. The Steelers don't ask him to throw more than 20 times in a game, which is part of the reason why he's been so successful.

Jake Plummer has always been regarded as a guy who's somewhat erratic and takes too many chances, but this season he's done a very good job of making things happen and not turning the ball over.

EDGE: Steelers

Running Backs: Jerome Bettis is such an icon in Pittsburgh, a 50-year old man had a heart attack after that fumble because he was so upset that they might've been the last play for Bettis, and the play he'd have been remembered by. That's the sort of love the community has for him, and he doesn't even start. Willie Parker, who barely played in college, has become the lightning to Jerome Bettis' thunder. Good outside runner, who can slash inside and pick up tough yards.

Denver has a 3-headed monster. Mike Anderson carries the bulk of the load, as he gained over 1,000 yards and scored 12 TDs this year. He's spelled by 2nd-year man Tatum Bell, who was expected to start during training camp. The 3rd man in the rotation is Ron Dayne, the former 1st round pick of the NY Giants.

EDGE: Broncos

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends: Hines Ward's sure hands, precise routes and blocking ability have transformed him from a former college QB into one of the more complete WRs in football. He's complemented by another former college QB, Antwan Randle-El. Heath Miller is one of the better young TEs in the NFL and Cedrick Wilson and Quincy Morgan are the journeymen providing the depth at the WR position.

Rod Smith doesn't appear to be slowing down too much, and he once again led the Denver Broncos in receiving this year. This year, however, he actually had some help from Ashley Lelie, who not only added 42 receptions, but his 18.3 yards per reception was tops in the NFL (tied with Terry Glenn). Jeb Putzier and Stephen Alexander are two reliable TEs that Plummer uses when Smith or Lelie are covered well.

EDGE: Steelers

Offensive Lines: When Pittsburgh was struggling during the middle part of the regular season, a major reason why was the absence of their LT, Marvel Smith. Well, he's back now, and that group is one of the best in the NFL. LG Alan Faneca is headed back to Hawai'i after this season, as is the center, Jeff Hartings. The right side doesn't get a lot of publicity, but Kendall Simmons has been solid at RG and RT Max Starks, though not overly impressive, is serviceable on that side.

Denver's offensive line has always been the subject of countless articles regarding their dirty play, which might explain why none of their lineman were mentioned for the Pro Bowl. The truth is, aside from center Tom Nalen, and maybe LT Matt Lepsis, this isn't a unit that thrives independently of one another. They work well as a unit, though, and that's why Denver is so successful.

EDGE: Push

Defensive Line: It's impossible to compare these two units, since Pittsburgh uses a 3-4 scheme. Aaron Smith, Casey Hampton and Kimo von Oelhoffen are your prototypical 3-4 lineman. They're big, strong and tie up blockers so the linebackers can make plays.

Denver decided to add 3 former Cleveland Browns defensive lineman to their starting lineup, and along with RDE Trevor Pryce, have created a formidable front 4. They rotate their interior lineman well, with Monsanto Pope and Demetrin Veal spelling Gerard Warren and Michael Myers.

EDGE: Broncos

Linebackers: Pittsburgh has incredible depth at this position. Clark Haggans, James Farrior, Larry Foote and Joey Porter are the best group of LBs in a 3-4 scheme (yes, better than New England). All 4 have the ability to rush the passer, drop into coverage and they tackle really, really well.

Denver doesn't have the depth, but pound-for-pound, DJ Williams, Al Wilson and Ian Gold are as good as what the Steelers have.

EDGE: Push

Defensive Backs: The blitzing that the Steelers do with their front 7 help mask some fairly average play at the CB position. Deshea Townsend and Ike Taylor are good CBs, but they're not the type of CBs that can take a game over. They have very good depth at the position, as exemplified by the play of rookie CB Bryant McFadden against Indianapolis. It was McFadden who broke up the pass to Reggie Wayne two plays before Vanderjagt's missed field goal. The trust that Cowher has in this young group is obvious. Supporting the CBs are two very good, very athletic safeties. SS Troy Polamalu is one of the best in the game, and Chris Hope has played very well opposite him.

Denver can boast that they've got the best CB in the NFL in Champ Bailey. He is the type of CB that can shut down one side of the field. After Bailey, the Broncos have their own kiddie corps. Domonique Foxworth, Darrent Williams and Karl Paymah are all rookies, and all see plenty of playing time. John Lynch and Nick Ferguson are two physical safeties that excel at blitzing the QB.

EDGE: Push

Special Teams: Pittsburgh doesn't "wow" you on special teams, but Chris Gardocki is a steady punter, Jeff Reed is a decent kicker and Ricardo Colclough gives them average return yardage. What makes this unit "special" is the punt return abilities of Antwan Randle-El, who has the ability to take every punt to the end zone.

Denver has very good special teams. Jason Elam could kick a 60-yard field goal in Invesco Field with ease, and Todd Sauerbrun has a booming leg. The return game isn't that great, but Darrent Williams has scored on a return this season.

EDGE: Broncos

Coaching/Intangibles: Before the season, I mentioned that when expectations are high in Pittsburgh, Bill Cowher's teams usually cave. After wins in Cincinnati and Indianapolis, perhaps the time has come for to put that joke to bed. You get the sense that if the Steelers were going to cave, it would've happened in the last 5 minutes in Indianapolis. It didn't.

Mike Shanahan got a huge monkey off his back by winning his 1st playoff game since Elway retired. He had been unfairly criticized over the years, but the facts are his teams were always of playoff caliber, and they are now poised to get back to the Super Bowl.

Playing at home in the playoffs is important, but the winning percentage of the home team in the Championship round plummets dramatically when compared to the Divisional round. Pittsburgh has a tough assignment: Go into Denver and win. Nobody has been able to do it in the 2005 season, and while I'm amazed at the run the Steelers have been on, the Broncos have been the better, most consistent team all season long.

Mac's Pick: Broncos 27, Steelers 20