NFL Power Rankings Wrap-up: Pittsburgh Steelers Week 10

What a difference three home wins and Martavis Bryant makes. Ben Roethlisberger and the offense have found their stride, and even after a slow start in Baltimore they came out like gangbusters and blew out the Ravens. The Steelers took their best shots, including the despicable hit on LeGarrette Blount by Terrell Suggs. The defense, with all its troubles, is making progress as well. We’ll have to see how the injuries to Troy Polamalu and Ryan Shazier affect their ability to play as a cohesive unit. Here is how the Steelers drumming of the Ravens played in the NFL power rankings:

"They have an easy formula for winning: Ben Roethlisberger throws six touchdown passes a week. Easy, right? – Pete Prisco (CBS Sports, Ranked #12)"

We know that this hot streak cannot continue, but we can hope that the consistency does. Moving the field with ease, teams doing everything they can to stop AB and being unable to do so.

"Ben Roethlisberger is the first player in NFL history with six passing touchdowns in consecutive games. Martavis Bryant and Markus Wheaton (three combined TDs Sunday) are complementing Antonio Brown well. – ESPN.com (Ranked #7)"

It seems everyone is talking offense, and rightly so. When it comes to the defense there is no discussion, but when you’re averaging 41 points a game in the last three no one really cares.

"The way Ben Roethlisberger is balling, who knows how high the Steelers might climb? Big Ben set a new league record for the most touchdown passes over two games (12). We can use our college algebra skills to deduce that he also became the first to log six scoring strikes in back-to-back weeks. In fact, only once had a QB recorded at least six twice in the course of one regular-season slate: Y.A. Tittle, who did it in 1962, then threw 36 TD passes in ’63 — tying an NFL record that wasn’t surpassed until former Pitt QB Dan Marino tossed 48 with the Dolphins in 1984. Roethlisberger now has 22 in nine games, putting him on pace for 39 this season.  – Elliott Harrison (NFL.com, Ranked #5)"

NFL has the Steelers as the making the biggest upward move, and has them ranked the highest at 5. I’m glad to see the props for Ben and AB and the rest of the offense. If they can get Le’Veon Bell back on track, the Steelers may be unstoppable.

"Ben Roethlisberger is doing his best to mask an injury-depleted Steelers defense that just lost two more starters to injuries against the Ravens. Big Ben’s 12 touchdown passes over the last two games will do it.  –Dan Schneier (FoxSports, Ranked #13)"

This shows the beat writers are still not convinced of how good the Steelers are, maybe just seeing how good they can be. Pretty disappointing to have a tepid ranking of 13.

Notice how no one is calling for the head of Colbert, Tomlin or Haley anymore? Proof positive that winning changes everything. The team needs to focus on continuing to play strong, and not looking past anyone with two winnable games coming up before the bye. We still have the Saints, Chiefs and the Bengals twice. Certainly not an easy road, but the outlook is much better than a few weeks ago when we didn’t know what to make of this team.

Bring it Steeler Nation!