With the 2009 NFL Season eight weeks away its time to take a look at each team in the league. First up is the AFC North and the defending Super Bowl champions, the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Last season the Steelers finished 12-4-0 and won the AFC North division. The Steelers defeated the San Diego Chargers and the Baltimore Ravens on their way to an AFC Championship and a ticket to Super Bowl XLIII. In one of the most exciting Super Bowls in recent memory, the Steelers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 27-23 to capture their league-record 6th Super Bowl championship in team history.

Offense: Last year the Steelers offense struggled in the run game, due to the injuries to Willie Parker that kept him out of five regular season games, and to rookie first-round pick Rashard Mendenhall with his shoulder injury in the fourth game of the season. The unit is mostly the same from last year, with the only change being at right guard, with Darnell Stapleton replacing the released Kendall Simmons. The return of both Parker and Mendenhall for the entire season should help improve an offense ranked 22nd overall in total offense.

Defense: No team was better than the Steelers on defense last year, and it took them all the way to a Super Bowl title. The Steelers led the league in yards against, points against, and passing yards against, and ranked second in rushing yards allowed. Middle Linebacker Larry Foote was released for both salary cap reasons, and to allow third-year linebacker Lawrence Timmons a starting position. Cornerback Bryant McFadden was released leaving a training camp competition between veteran Deshea Townsend and third-year corner William Gay.

Star Power: Santonio Holmes will be counted on to continue to develop and play at a high level, especially after his Super Bowl winning touchdown catch last season. Holmes and Hines Ward could become one of the best top-two receiving corps in the league.

Best Addition: Max Starks at left tackle was a huge priority for the Steelers, and after franchise tagging him, they were able to come to an agreement on a four-year contract. Being able to have a solid, young starting left tackle is huge for the development of the line, and to keep quarterback Ben Roethlisberger off of his back.

Biggest Loss: Kendall Simmons was released after not being able to stay healthy last season. He had been with the Steelers since being drafted in 2002 but injuries began to catch up with him, and allowed Darnell Stapleton to develop in his place. Depth on the offensive line is something that most teams would love to have, and letting Simmons go, injuries or not, may have been a mistake for the Super Bowl champs.

Biggest Game: Sunday, December 27th division rival Baltimore comes to Pittsburgh in a game that could decide the division winner. The loser of this game would likely be forced to be a wildcard team come playoff time.