NFL Power Rankings Wrap-up: Pittsburgh Steelers Week 4

The Steelers turned things around with a thorough drumming of the Panthers in Carolina last Sunday. They were solid in every phase of the game, scoring on 7 drives and forcing a turnover and three sacks. This is the Steelers team we want to see week in and week out, unfortunately several sever injuries overshadowed the win.  Here is how the power rankings wrap-up with the NFL beat writers:

"The Steelers looked like the Steelers against Carolina: Physical and tough. They ran it down their throats. – Pete Prisco (CBS Sports, Ranked #10)"

264 yards rushing, while allowing only 42 on the other side. After losing three starters on defense, we’ll see if LeBeau’s defense is truly plug and play.

"LeGarrette Blount and Le’Veon Bell each topped 100 rush yards Sunday night, Pittsburgh’s first game with two 100-yard rushers since Oct. 26, 1986 (Walter Abercrombie and Earnest Jackson). – ESPN.com (Ranked #11)"

Steeler football is back. Both runners’ stats were padded by long runs, but that shouldn’t detract from the accomplishment.

"Wow. The Steelers put up 264 yards rushing in Sunday night’s win over the Panthers.Read that stat again. It took Pittsburgh just 34 carries to get there, too, meaning the squad did what it will need to do to stay in the AFC North race, i.e., it didn’t put everything on the quarterback. Speaking of, what a clutch throw by Ben Roethlisberger on his first touchdown pass of the evening to Antonio Brown. #droppindimes   – Elliott Harrison (NFL.com, Ranked #12)"

The running game means more than just how teams approach the Steelers. It means less pressure on Ben, which means he can go out and be Ben again. That has worked out well in the past.

"The Steelers defense made up for its miserable start to the season, but in the same night they lost three starters to injury. The real reason why they were able to blow out a previously unbeaten team was due to their dominance on offense fueled by their offensive line. A great win can’t be ignored, but the defense is now going to need to rely on some questionable talent to replace injured starters who were already struggling.  –Dan Schneier (FoxSports, Ranked #16)"

I disagree with the replacements having questionable talent. It would be difficult for any team to replace two first round draft picks. Sean Spence showed he has the heart to come back from a gruesome knee injury. If I knew nothing else about him that would be enough to convince me he can make a positive impact.

"Chuck Noll was head coach the last time the Steelers produced two 100-yard rushers in the same game: Walter Abercrombie and Earnest Jackson, on Oct. 26, 1986. That is, the last time until Sunday night, when Le’Veon Bell (147 yards) and LeGarrette Blount (118 yards) pulled off the feat — against a Carolina defense that finished No. 2 versus the run last season, no less. –Chris Burke (SI.com, Ranked #11)"

Last week I said the Steelers don’t scare anyone. What a difference a week makes. If they come out with the same type of performance against Tampa, the Steelers will be in a different conversation going forward.

That’s it Steeler Nation! Let us know what you think!