NFL Power Rankings Wrap-up: Pittsburgh Steelers Week 16
The Steelers played well enough to beat a sub-par Atlanta team. The great thing is they never seemed to lose control which is the first time I’ve had that feeling this season. I think we need the same formula this week. Bottle up the run, and make the Chiefs beat us down the field. Their team is not really built to be vertical, and the Steelers are. I say take your shots and try to get up early. If the Black and Gold can get up fairly quickly they can really take the game control out of Jamaal Charles hands. Here is how the Steelers win played in the NFL power rankings:
"With two victories in their final games, they will be the division champs. That offense will be tough to get out if they do make the playoffs. – Pete Prisco (CBS Sports, Ranked #11)"
The three headed monster of Bell, Brown and Roethlisberger will have to carry us through. We desperately need Marcus Gilbert back healthy to make the offensive line complete.
"Ben Roethlisberger was 10-of-10 for 123 yards targeting Antonio Brown Sunday, the third game of Brown’s career with a perfect catch percentage on at least 10 targets. – ESPN.com (Ranked #10)"
Pretty impressive that AB caught all ten balls he was targeted with. Equally as impressive was pretty surgical performance from Ben Roethlisberger, despite having no TDs.
Dec 14, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin cheers the Steelers players in the fourth quarter of their game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. The Steelers won 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
"Pittsburgh keeps rolling, and while it got a bit close there in the second half at the Georgia Dome, the Steelers are now in the driver’s seat. (That said, even the most ardent Steelers fan in the Carnell Lake No. 37 uni would admit that secondary dodged a bullet with Julio Jones sidelined.) Here they are, though, with two home games remaining against the Chiefs and Bengals. If Pittsburgh wins out, it takes the AFC North title. – Elliott Harrison (NFL.com, Ranked #10)"
The difference I see in the team from the few weeks ago is they are playing with confidence. They did the same thing as in the Tennessee game, the defense gave up a little and made it close. Then the offense took over and simply ran out the remaining five minutes by showing when they want to, the Steelers can’t be stopped.
"The offense continues to prove itself as one of the NFL’s best thanks to its balance. The defense will need to build on their much-improved play from Week 14 if they want to develop into a team that can make a run. –Dan Schneier (FoxSports, Ranked #12)"
The Steelers can go deep into the playoffs with a defense that knows its limits which is where I think they are. They are going to give up big plays in the secondary but they must keep those plays in front of them and tackle. A 20 yard play is survivable here and there, but 60 yard plays start to add up.
"A bunch of scenarios remain on the table in the AFC North. It all starts here: If the Steelers win their final two games, at home against Kansas City and Cincinnati, they claim the division. Not bad for a team that lost to the Jets and Bucs. –Chris Burke (SI.com, Ranked #11)"
I think if we look back to the beginning of the season, most people would have been thrilled if you told them the Steelers would be 9-5 with two to go at home. For all the ups and downs, it’s all up to them.
Let’s go Steelers!