The Pittsburgh Steelers are 7-5 and in the AFC playoff hunt, but where does that place them in the NFL power rankings?
The Pittsburgh Steelers are 7-5 heading into Week 14 of the NFL season. After losing to the Arizona Cardinals, the Steelers are currently the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoff picture, but where do they stand in power rankings across the internet?
Here’s a look at the Pittsburgh Steelers’ standing in NFL power rankings ahead of Week 14.
NFL.com writer Eric Edholm ranked the Steelers at No. 11, two spots lower than last week.
There have been numerous stretches where we’ve questioned whether the Steelers are truly a playoff team — not whether they will get in, but whether they even deserve to. Following Sunday’s shocking home loss to Arizona, the Steelers will be without starting QB Kenny Pickett for this Thursday’s game against New England. He was knocked out in the second quarter Sunday with an ankle injury, but even prior to getting hurt, Pickett wasn’t able to build on new play-caller Mike Sullivan’s strong first outing the week before. Pittsburgh was also guilty of self-inflicted errors galore, including basic stuff like getting lined up correctly, before backup QB Mitch Trubisky’s crippling fumble. Mike Tomlin has somehow led this team to 7-5, but it’s hard not to get the smoke-and-mirrors vibe, especially with Pickett possibly set to miss multiple games. Heck, the Steelers have looked quite beatable with him.
The Athletic’s Josh Kendall at No. 18, seven spots lower than last week.
Pittsburgh got a bump the first week after firing its beleaguered offensive coordinator, but it was back to business as usual Sunday. The Steelers scored 10 points against an Arizona defense that ranks 30th in points allowed (25.5 per game). On top of that, quarterback Kenny Pickett suffered an ankle injury that is expected to keep him out multiple weeks. The AFC North lead looks a long way away now.
Bleacher Report had the Steelers at No. 18, six spots lower than last week.
One week after finally surpassing 400 yards of offense for the first time in over three years, Pittsburgh managed just 317 yards. And now the team will be without starting quarterback Kenny Pickett for the foreseeable future—Pickett will have surgery to repair his injured ankle this week and could miss a month.
That wasn’t even the only major injury the Steelers endured Sunday. After missing the past month with a hamstring injury, Pro Bowl safety Minkah Fitzpatrick returned to the lineup—and promptly broke his hand.
If there’s a silver lining, it’s that while the Steelers have a short week to get ready to play on Thursday night, they are taking on New England.
And the Patriots have been making everyone look good this season.