Power Rankings: Where the Steelers stand going into playoffs
By Tim Weaver
Thanks to some help from Buffalo, the Pittsburgh Steelers are heading to the NFL playoffs for the second straight year.
Even though the Steelers will be facing a Bengals team that they just beat a few weeks ago, things are not all happy-go-lucky around Heinz Field.
Ben Roethlisberger looked shaky at times against the Cleveland Browns this week and DeAngelo Williams suffered an ankle injury that might make the Steelers one dimensional on offense. Let’s check in and see where the experts are ranking Pittsburgh as we head into the playoffs.
NFL.com: #7
“Many wanted the Steelers out of the top 10 following the Week 16 hiccup in Baltimore. And this team didn’t look particularly impressive against Austin Davis and the Browns on Sunday.”
“The good news for a team that tends to play to its competition’s level is that such an approach sets a high bar come the postseason.”
Bleacher Report: #12
“The playoffs just wouldn’t have felt complete without the Pittsburgh Steelers.”
USA Today: #8
“Can you imagine Antonio Brown’s stats (136 catches, 1,834 yards) if Ben Roethlisberger hadn’t missed four games?”
SB Nation: #8
“Pittsburgh has been hot and cold of late, but obviously boast one of the most dynamic and explosive passing offenses in the NFL.”
Fansided: #8
“the Steelers will be heading into the NFL playoffs as the No. 6 seed and will have another shot to add a Super Bowl trophy to their case.”
Looks like there is a strong consensus out there among the sportswriter literati that the Steelers are a solid number eight overall team. Who knows what Bleacher Report was thinking with their number 12 overall ranking? Surely one of the great unsolved mysteries of this NFL season.
What’s most interesting is not the numbers themselves but the commentary on how shaky Pittsburgh has been playing over the last few weeks.
Next: Steelers News: Williams, McCarron, Gilbert
Talent can get you to the playoffs. Only consistency can get wins there.