Analysts exclude Pittsburgh Steelers from top NFL teams since 2000 list

The Pittsburgh Steelers were omitted from a recent FOX Sports ranking of the 10 best NFL teams since 2000, prompting debate regarding the franchise's historical legacy. Former players T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Emmanuel Acho criticized the selection, arguing that while the Steelers were balanced, the teams that earned spots on the list featured generational strengths on either offense or defense. Despite this critique, the Pittsburgh Steelers won Super Bowl XL in 2005 and Super Bowl XLIII in 2008. The 2008 championship team held the top defensive ranking in the league in both points and total yards allowed. While some analysts maintain that the lack of a single defining, record-breaking unit excludes the team from the top tier, others point to the back-to-back title victories as evidence of their sustained success. The omission remains a topic of discussion among observers assessing the team's standing in league history.

• 8:15 PMYahoo Sports — ‘Weren’t Special’: Pittsburgh Steelers Gets Harsh Verdict Left Out of Top 10 Teams Since 2000