NFL Power Rankings Wrap-up: Pittsburgh Steelers Week 12

The Steelers snuck by with a win on Monday night, showcasing another game where they decide to play well for about 20 mins in total. As I said last week, Martavis Bryant isn’t ready to be anointed our Number 2 wide receiver . After being benched in the second half after a complete lack of effort in the first shows you he is not yet ready. In addition, the Steelers dumped some dead weight in LeGarrette Blount after he decided to be a petulant child and leave the field early. Now he’s back in New England and Steeler Nation has one more reason to hate him. The team does not seem sad he’s gone, and fans shouldn’t be either. Here is how the Steelers game played in the NFL power rankings:

"The defense is still shaky, but that offense bounced back after a bad loss to the Jets. Le’Veon Bell is the real deal. – Pete Prisco (CBS Sports, Ranked #13)"

You bet he is. 222 yards from scrimmage, and he owned the Titans defense in the fourth quarter. The Titans had the ball for only 3:35 in the final period.

"Le’Veon Bell had 196 rush yards between the tackles Monday, 51 more than any player in a game this season. The last Steeler with more was Willie Parker in 2006. – ESPN.com (Ranked #12)"

The win really was all about Le’Veon Monday. I can’t say enough about that performance.

"Hot. Cold. Hot hot. Cold cold. What’s next for this group? Sure, the Steelers are 7-4, but it’s getting increasingly difficult to trust them on the road. Exhibit A: Ben Roethlisberger, who has an 18:1 TD-to-INT ratio at Heinz and a 6:5 figure everywhere else.  – Elliott Harrison (NFL.com, Ranked #12)"

The Steelers need to find a way to play well on the road, and I think we saw the means to close the Titans game. Run the damn ball!

"The Steelers overcame a nine-point second half deficit on the strength of Le’Veon Bell, who racked up 204 yards on just 33 carries. The pass defense remains one of the worst in the NFL.  –Dan Schneier (FoxSports, Ranked #19)"

This ranking is just wrong. Fox has the ranked last in the AFC North, and beneath the Bills and Texans. I just can’t agree with that.

"The Steelers can’t seem to decide whether they are a good team or not, so they get a middle-of-the-road Power Rankings spot until they do. The best news about their remaining schedule is that all five teams left on it are in the playoff hunt. Which means odds are slim that the Steelers will pull their “Wake me up when the fourth quarter starts” routine, like they have repeatedly against the league’s also-rans.  –Chris Burke (SI.com, Ranked #16)"

I agree with the inconsistency but I don’t see how you win and drop three spots. Maybe because he elevated the Bengals six spots for beating a 3-6 team.

The bye week is here, and we hope to see a healthy and revitalized defense to close out the year and head to the playoffs!

Let’s go Steelers!