The Pittsburgh Steelers barely escaped an injured Green Bay Packers and it cost them a power ranking spot in Week 13.
Falling from third to fourth, the Steelers remain in the top five in ESPN’s Week 13 power rankings. Despite another win, Pittsburgh did not impress enough to remain ahead of the L.A. Rams. Even with a better record, the Steelers still remain at the bottom of the top five, according to ESPN.
"Le’Veon Bell leads the NFL in yards from scrimmage and Antonio Browns leads all wide receivers. Their 2,572 combined yards from scrimmage are most by a pair of teammates this season."
Pittsburgh remains behind the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots, who have remained number one and two since Week 8, and a rising Rams. They currently sit ahead of the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints to round off the top six.
This doesn’t mean much right now. The Steelers take on New England in Week 15, which will likely decide the final regular season power rankings. Unless another team slips up beforehand, chances are the winner of Pittsburgh, New England will take the number two ranking in the NFL.
Although power rankings don’t determine playoff seeding, this two vs three matchup should decide which AFC team gets home-field advantage this January. Although the Steelers currently have control of the conference, they remain to be seen as an underdog in this heated rivalry.
There’s plenty of season left. With the schedule Pittsburgh has remaining, every game can be the difference between first and second in the AFC. As time continues to count down to the playoffs, these power rankings will become more and more accurate leading up to a coveted match between the conference’s best.
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The Steelers play the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13. For all Steelers news and updates, stay connected with Still Curtain.