Steelers Power Rankings: Week 17

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Dec 25, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) has his fasemask grabbed while he extends the ball across the goal line to score the game winning touchdown against Baltimore Ravens strong safety Eric Weddle (32) in the fourth quarter. The Steelers won 31-27 at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports /

Fox Sports: No. 3

Last Week: No. 6

"“The Steelers barely topped the Ravens for the AFC North title, but a win’s a win. They’re now locked into the No. 3 seed so Week 17 is meaningless for them. Considering the conference’s quarterback situation, the Steelers are among the favorites to reach the Super Bowl.” – Cameron DaSilva"

A game of inches.

The Steelers barely reached (pun intended) the postseason this year with an amazing play that is being hailed as a Steeler classic already. Get ready to tell your children and your children’s children about the great immaculate extension and Antonio Brown’s last second heroics.

With that, the Steelers have been thrown into an interesting playoff picture. The Chiefs, Patriots, and Steelers are the only AFC teams with quarterbacks that have any playoff experience at all, and Roethlisberger and Brady are the only ones with real playoff substance under their belt (Not quite yet, Alex Smith).

The Texans once again won their division due to the subpar teams while the Raiders and Dolphins have both lost their starting quarterbacks late in the season. Can the Dolphins run game carry them through the post season and can Matt McGloin be a hero in Oakland? Probably not, but we’ll see.

Dec 25, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Cobi Hamilton (83) looks to make a move on Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Zach Orr (54) after making a catch during the fourth quarter of a game at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh won 31-27. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports /

Yahoo Sports: No. 5

Last Week: No. 7

"“The Steelers probably had enough time to spike the ball if Antonio Brown didn’t stretch over the goal line. But if they didn’t, that play is all we’d be talking about all week. “Risky” doesn’t begin to cover it. It worked though.” – Frank Schwab"

Yes, the Steelers probably would have been able to spike the ball and get another play off, but it would have been fourth and goal and who knows what would have happened.

The play reminded me a lot of the Super Bowl. While it was more of an in route drag than a slant, the moment the ball came out of Ben’s hand, I thought that the Ravens might jump in and snatch it like Malcolm Butler, devastating all fans for the rest of the year.

Luckily, Antonio Brown was there with his sure hands to catch the ball. Then, I looked at the clock, thinking that he was going to be taken down at the 1, and the game would be forced into overtime or the Steelers would have to do a fun little wildcat play like San Diego in 2015.

The reason fans in Pittsburgh have to love Antonio Brown is the fighter in him. He is a small, 5’10” receiver who has gone above and beyond all expectations his entire life, and has proven that he is as big a competitor as any. With big, strong men barrelling down on him, he did not relent, and he pushed the Steelers into the promised land. It honestly left me with tears in my eyes.

On a side note, did anyone see Ramon Foster nail Brown at the end of the play? That was interesting. Glad he got to spike the ball.

Dec 25, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Demarcus Ayers (15) stiff arms Baltimore Ravens cornerback Tavon Young (36) during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 31-27. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Author’s Opinion: No. 3

Last Week: No. 5

I think the Steelers are primed for a Super Bowl run.

With how the AFC is laid out, the Steelers have a path to the Super Bowl through two backup quarterbacks and New England. I would love to see a Steelers vs Cowboys rematch on Super Bowl Sunday, but we’ll just have to see how the cards fall.

Next: Steelers Playoff Mock Draft

The Steelers have finished the season in amazing fashion, boasting the best win streak in the league alongside New England. Those two teams seem to be on a collision course for each other and what a spectacular fireworks show that would be.

Tom Brady vs Ben Roethlisberger. Two of the best quarterbacks of this decade. Doesn’t get much better than that. In the meantime, let’s take it one game at a time.

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