Two years later, with essentially the same core of players, the same defensive coordinator and most of the same position coaches, the Steelers are the top-ranked defense in every major statistical category with three games remaining in the regular season.

The difference? Head coach Mike Tomlin, whose 20-9 record in his first two seasons is the best start in franchise history.

Of course, James Harrison is now playing right outside linebacker instead of Joey Porter, and LaMarr Woodley is the new left outside linebacker in place of Clark Haggans, but the other nine starters remain.

Tomlin's impact on the defense alone should make him a legitimate candidate for NFL coach of the year. No team since the 1991 Philadelphia Eagles has finished the season No. 1 in all three major defensive categories as the Steelers are on the verge of doing. The Steelers ranked No. 1 in total defense and No. 3 in pass defense in 2007, Tomlin's first season.

What makes Tomlin's influence more impressive is that the Steelers are 10-3 this season playing what was considered before the season as the league's most difficult schedule. The Steelers have played or will face most of the league's playoff contenders. That includes the Colts, Patriots, Ravens (twice) and Titans in the AFC; the Giants, Cowboys, Eagles and Redskins in the NFC.

Granted, coach Jeff Fisher's Titans are 12-1 and already have clinched the AFC South. Fisher is a leading candidate for coach of the year, as he should be. However, the Titans have played an easier schedule than the Steelers, with wins over the 0-13 Lions, 1-11-1 Bengals and 2-11 Chiefs.

Raise your hand if you predicted the Steelers would be 10-3 with three games to play.

A defensive coach, it's no surprise that Tomlin's biggest influence has been on defense. But Tomlin's strength as a head coach is that he's comfortable enough with himself to allow his assistants to work without allowing his ego to take over.

He gives defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau more freedom to experiment and gamble than LeBeau had under former coach Bill Cowher while quietly tailoring his secondary -- he previously coached the secondary in Tampa Bay -- and the cornerbacks in particular.

"The DB's did a great job covering. They didn't let them get nothing," inside linebacker Larry Foote said of the secondary's performance Sunday against Dallas and quarterback Tony Romo.

Safety Troy Polamalu grabbed his NFL-leading seventh interception against the Cowboys, a career high. And, of course, cornerback Deshea Townsend returned a Romo interception for a touchdown in the game's final two minutes to fuel the Steelers' 20-13 win at Heinz Field.

What a difference a head coach makes.