Pittsburgh Steelers Power Ranking Roundup

by Blitzburgh on Nov 13, 2008 3:56 AM EST Comment 39 comments

Let's see if the national media and other football websites have as divergent of views on the state of the Steelers as do factions of the Steelers' fanbase. If you're short of time, I can give you the answer. No. They're not. Only one writer seems to realize that the Steelers, for as competitive as they've been even in defeat, need to get things going again or risk missing out on the playoffs. (Hat tip: cgolden @ Revenge of the Birds)

CBS Sportsline's Pete Prisco

12th

I worry about their passing game. Ben Roethlisberger isn't playing well. He needs to get it going or they'll be watching come playoff time.

To see what others think...

FOX Sports

3rd

Bruised, battered and playing the league's toughest schedule, there's no need to drop the Steelers after a razor-thin loss to the rebounding Colts -- especially since in hindsight Ben Roethlisberger probably should not have played, and especially with so many key starters out with injuries.

NFL.com's Vic Carucci

3rd
Big Ben must put his killer mistakes behind him and focus on beating the Chargers.

SI.com's Dr. Z

4th
James Harrison, the outside linebacker, played a blinder of a game. The week before I thought James Farrior, backing up the line on the inside, was the best player on the field. Nobody in football has a group like Farrior, Harrison, Foote, Woodley and Timmons. A combination of four is used in the nickel. Defensive coach Dick LeBeau must feel like a wealthy merchant, counting his stack of gold ducats, every time he lines them up in one of his defenses.

Cold Hard Football Facts

9th

Record vs. Quality Opponents: 2-3 (even)

Last week: Coming off a huge Monday night win at Washington, the Steelers blew a 10-point second-half lead and lost their second straight home game to a Manning, falling 24-20 to the Colts.

Cold, Hard Football Facts: Granted, he’s playing with a separated shoulder, a makeshift offensive line and a third-string running back, but Ben Roethlisberger has thrown eight interceptions in his last three games and ranks 13th in the AFC in passer rating (76.1).

Week 11 matchup: vs. San Diego. The Chargers haven’t won in Pittsburgh since the 1994 AFC championship game, losing by double digits in each of their three visits

Yahoo Sports Michael Silver

3rd
Could Big Ben and his bad shoulder use a little rest?

ESPN.com

4th
"Big Ben" is struggling, and so are the Steelers. Suddenly Pittsburgh has dropped two of three.

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Comments

actually

I am impressed. Most of them are very generous. Some of them even gave credit to the injuries for our losses which is something that so called “experts” tend to conveniently skip. I am content with most of these.

by shleeve on Nov 13, 2008 4:00 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

pretty generous

I think 3rd and 4th is a bit high. Until we see some better QB play and better running, not to mention get a few guys back from injury, I think 5-8 is more appropriate.

I hope they’re geniuses though :)

by Blitzburgh on Nov 13, 2008 4:04 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

power rankings

are a tricky thing. if you are judging the steelers on sunday’s game, then you’ve got to drop them in the rankings. they underperformed, to be sure. but if you are looking at all the teams and trying to rank them by how good you think they are, i have no problem with them being anywhere in the top 10. i think they are a team that’s been hard to figure out, a little bit jeckyll and hyde. which one shows up this week against the chargers?

i would put them at #6. i believe they can be better, but it takes a number of “ifs” that they haven’t delivered on yet. but i’m believing…

...die trying

by agentorange on Nov 13, 2008 7:23 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

good pt

thats the objective of power rankings. not wholly resume based, but potential evaluation as well

by Blitzburgh on Nov 13, 2008 9:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Haven't delivered consistently

Some games have been very good, others have been horrible offensively.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Nov 13, 2008 3:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The way I look at it is how many other teams in the AFC would you consider better than us?

Tennesse…

The other teams have some major issues like us… Indy, New England, Denver, Buffalo, New York, San Diego, Miami, and Balitmore?

by frankrmineo on Nov 13, 2008 9:08 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think when Baltimore wins on sunday you’re going to see a huge jump in the rankings… Unless they try to call fluke like they did with the browns

Life is nothing but Beats & Rhymes

by Matchz Malone on Nov 13, 2008 9:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

baltimore isn't winning more than one nfc east game.

that’s all there is to that

by SoCalSteelerFan on Nov 13, 2008 12:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Power Rankings roundup

Thanks for gathering this up in one place.

At this point in the season I think that we should be ranked no lower than 5th—after the three teams that beat us and Tennessee. Colts, Giants and Eagles are all fine teams and, with the possible exception of the Colts, had to play extremely fine football to beat the Steelers. Giants and Tennessee remain strong teams, while the Eagles are seemingly fading. Everybody else, especially those remaining on the Steelers schedule, are just not as tough as the Steelers—a badly damaged team that built to a 6-3 record.

by tenthmtnman on Nov 13, 2008 9:47 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

what about a team like...

The TB Bucs. Or the Carolina Panthers? Those are dangerous football teams if you haven’t seen them. They get after the QB have veteran QBs when healthy, etc.

I’m not convinced as of now that we’re better than those two teams. I think we can be, but they seem to perform more consistently this year.

Thoughts?

by Blitzburgh on Nov 13, 2008 9:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Bucs and Panthers

Fully agree that those two have a history of being good, being dangerous and/or being powerful teams. Carolina beat the Chiefs and the Raiders which makes 2 of their 7 victories meaningless in my mind; I won’t consider the thought that less than great teams might falter against weak oponents while the great team’s win, giving them a bump up for that. I don’t think either of those two teams are playing challenged as we are doing. We’re playing very well in spite of the challenges, while they are just playing well. I would rate them close behind us at this point. I truly believe that if we had not been snake bit to this point, then we would be 8-1 and perhaps even 9-0 is out of the question [15-6, 21-14 and 24-20 losses injured and slightly discombobulated isn’t disastrous]. I think the deciding factor for me is that I see us being able to turn a corner and improve.

by tenthmtnman on Nov 13, 2008 10:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Upon further review ...

Should read … “9-0 isn’t out of the question” … .

I guess one could say that we beat a couple of meaningless teams as well {Brownies and Bungles], but dang, we could have fallen flat and lost those; great teams win those games [LOL]. Actually, I think we get the plus up because of the quality of the teams that beat us.

by tenthmtnman on Nov 13, 2008 10:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

upside

I think we have a higher upside than the Bucs this year. Would agree with that. Probably Panthers too. But they have crazy athletes all over the field on defense, one of the 1-5 truly elite play makers in the game on offense (Smith), and an experienced QB whos pretty reliable when hes healthy.

I think we can be better, just a little surprised that we’re unanimously deemed better than teams like that. If it’s a true power poll though, then future considerations are supposed to be weighted heavily. And we certainly have it in us to reach a much higher level.

So we’ll see.

Btw, I posted these to show that lots of people dont view the team in the same way as the doomsdayers. Then again, most of these people ranking probably dot watch as closely. So it’s hard to just blindly say look at the national ‘experts’. Though of course, Carucci has old school ties with the Steelers. He watches us each week I’m sure, and he thinks we’re the 4th best team. Lots left to unfold!

by Blitzburgh on Nov 13, 2008 10:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Most of them still think we’re without our super-star right guard Mr. Simmons.

by steelguy99 on Nov 13, 2008 11:44 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The Steelers of 2008 are just like the Steelers of 2005

Because they can beat any team in the NFL, but they can also lose to any team in the NFL. They can make a playoff run if they get healthy and Ben gets his mind and body right. We’ll see how things shake out.

And power rankings are stupid.

by JHolmes on Nov 13, 2008 10:55 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

yea they are

but i found it interesting how highly everyone thinks of the team.

and im busy the last day, so u got something better, bring it :)

by Blitzburgh on Nov 13, 2008 11:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No fault with you

I just don’t put much stock in the power rankings of sports writers that clearly only watch the highlights of games on sportscenter.

by JHolmes on Nov 14, 2008 11:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

3 Or 4 is right

I think 3 or 4 is right. The Steelers are playing the leagues toughest schedule. The Steelers are six and three with 3 or 4 starters out each and every week. Ask yourself: How are The Steelers ranked with a 100% healthy team. I think the high rankings are because of our depth. The Steelers have fielded competitive teams every Sunday no matter who they have injured. Look at all the other teams and take four starters off of their team and what do you have? If everyone is healthy for the second half of the season, The Steelers are the team to beat and will be the most dangerous team in the playoffs.

by WyoFan on Nov 13, 2008 11:09 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

The steelers are playing the leagues toughest schedule based on last years performance. Teams like New England, San Diego, Indy (despite our loss), Jacksonville, Cleveland (Twice), and Dallas don’t seem nearly as scary as they did at the beginning of the season.

Meanwhile the games against Tennessee and Baltimore look more frightening than before the Season Started.

by frankrmineo on Nov 13, 2008 11:15 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Look At The Schedules

While some of the big teams from last year are not as good as billed, look at the schedule and show me someone with a tougher schedule. Is there any doubt that The Bolts and The Hated Patriots are still dangerous?

by WyoFan on Nov 13, 2008 11:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

all I am saying is at the end of the year I would be surpised if they run the winning percentages if the stillers still have the most difficult schedule. I would think Indy and any team from the NFC east would have face teams with a higher average winning %.

by frankrmineo on Nov 13, 2008 11:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

agreed wyo

It’s a brutal schedule. No need to try to historically rank it, but bottom line is we havent had any games like Kansas City, Detroit, Rams, 49ers, Seahawks, Raiders, etc. Bengals suck no doubt, but Houston, Cleveland are our next worst opponents and both came into the season with good teams and high expectations. Ravens and Jags arent slouches either.

It’s been a very, very touhg schedule and its going to stay tough.

by Blitzburgh on Nov 13, 2008 11:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

speaking of schedules

has anyone looked at who the titans have beat this year? its not that impressive when you look at it. i understand they have to be in the top 3 or 4 because they are undefeated, but i’m not convinced that they are really that good.

...die trying
http://www.agentorangerecords.blogspot.com

by agentorange on Nov 13, 2008 1:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Back when it was 6-0 I agreed with you, but 9-0 regardless of schedule is not an easy accomplishment at all. They deserve to be ranked #1 until someone shows up and takes it from them.

by steelguy99 on Nov 13, 2008 2:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ben and the Stretch Run

I too, think that if Ben gets right the Steelers can be devastating the rest of the way assumes that we can get our running game right as well]. What concerns me is that we have a transition period where Ben is practicing, maybe at the expense of some critical Byron reps. If Ben can’t go this weekend, we now throw Byron into the breach w/o critical practice reps. He’s paid to be ready, but practice is important. What will be worse is if Ben isn’t really ready, but plays regardless. results could be, shall we say, less than optimal and we will have lost a game we should have one against a weaker Chargers team.

By the way, just a stray thought here. Players are never truly inspired by hearing their fans disrespect them right and left. Players also don’t rely on historical data. What players do thrive on is unbridled enthusiasm, belief and heart—the kind of spirit found in “Hoosiers” and dished up by guys like me and others like me. No sir, I’m not taking credit for any Steelers’ victory, but I do know that the players want “thoughtful” and ’level-headed" fan support from fans willing to hang their emotions out there in positive support.

by tenthmtnman on Nov 13, 2008 11:20 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

my take

i look at it this way:

Defensively – arguably the best unit in the league, and just about everyone is recognizing that now…especially other teams.

Offensively – this team doesn’t scare anyone (except Steeler fans).

Schedule Played – toughest in the league, and we’re 6-3 (because of qb play)

Schedule Remaining – toughest in the league, and throw in a race for the division against the most bitter of rivals.

Injuries (which have affected past, and potentially affect future games) – we’ve suffered above the league average i would say (fox sports said the steelers we’re the 6th most injured team in the league, before we lost townsend and miller)

Taking all this into consideration, i would have to put the Steeler around the 7th spot in the league right now. NYG, Titans, Panthers, Bucs, Skins, Pats, are all looking pretty good right now, and they all have easier schedules down the stretch.

The turn around for us is simple though: don’t turn the ball over. This defense will win games for us, if we don’t turn the ball over.

by NoCal-SteelCity on Nov 13, 2008 11:42 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

we could be..

putting together a 2004 type season without the turnovers and a slightly better running game.

‘this’ close. Yet so far.

Still time!

by Blitzburgh on Nov 13, 2008 11:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The Skins?

We beat them in their own house.

by WyoFan on Nov 13, 2008 12:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

oh yeah i know

and i’m not saying that the skins are a better team than us, but i am saying that have a couple things that we don’t, namely: a healthy qb, a healthy rb, a healthy oline. also, they play an easier schedule, and the rest of their division games are at home.

in my mind, power rankings are not just calculated by a team’s talent.

by NoCal-SteelCity on Nov 13, 2008 3:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Portis and Betts are both injured

The Skins are sharing a boat with us in that regard.

by JHolmes on Nov 14, 2008 11:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Power Rankings

I agree with the major of the comments here. Is hard to play every week with your key players out because of injuries.
The Steelers have the defense to win games despite of the Offense if not ask the Cowboys that without Romo show can’t win games, and the Steelers with the backup killed the Redskins in Washington
I felt frustrated with the last upsets but am proud of the team,
I think Ben will improve soon and show the Steelers is the team to beat in the second half of the season

by ninke on Nov 13, 2008 3:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think we've done pretty well

Considering we have the toughest schedule in the NFL since the 1990’s i think (havent checked), we have done considerably well. I would personally rank them around 5th. We have been able to beat the teams we are “supposed” to beat but have struggled against the tougher teams. We will face the cowboys, ravens, and titans near the end of the season, and i think that is where we will prove if we are a worthy playoff team. Also, i believe that the Ravens game in week 15 will decide the AFC North. Huge game for us there.

by steelersfan86 on Nov 13, 2008 4:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

don't forget the pats

it seems most people wrote them off to early. they’ll challenge us.

by NoCal-SteelCity on Nov 13, 2008 5:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Crows

Don’t forget, the Crows still have to play the whole NFC East. the absolute best I see them coming out of that is 1-3. I don’t think they will be a factor. Still a tough game for The Steelers in the bird house, but not a factor in the AFC North. Pats could be worrisome. The Steelers have to have a healthy Woodley AND Harrison for that game. When do we get McFadden back? Anyone?

by WyoFan on Nov 13, 2008 6:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

the drum I'd like to beat

Is that the Steelers are flawed, but almost every other teams is flawed, and some of those flaws are scarier than the steelers.
The steeler defense is strong enough to take a team to the superbowl, even with a bad qb (or a good qb playing poorly). Ben doesn’t need to play spectacular football, just slightly better football. If Ben plays at the level he is capable of, and the o-line continues its resurgence, the Steelers can be dominant.
But the super bowl winner doesn’t need to be dominant in the regular season anymore, they just need to be good enough to make the playoffs and then play good to great football 3-4 games in a row.
If power rankings gauge how likely a team is to make the playoffs, I like the Steelers at the moment in a high enough spot to guarantee a playoff spot. But if power rankings are a metric of future success, the Steeler’s need to make improvements, because other teams will be coming out of their funk or catching fire.

by vherub on Nov 14, 2008 10:19 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

question

I too feel the rankings are generous. Our offense has been pretty weak compared to how good our D is.

Question: If Ben is so injured why continue to play him? Parker is injured and they rest him. Lots of other important players are injured and they rest them? If we are going to lose games b/c of poor QB play, why not have Byron in there instead and let Ben rest? At least then if we lose, we know Ben is getting healthy and our loses count for something. Don’t get me wrong I love Ben. But he’s banged up and playing crappy. I don’t care if he completes 95% of his passes. If he throws 3 or 4 picks a game, that’s still poor play in my book.(Especially if it’s on our 30 yrd line) If Ben doesn’t get it together, we’ll be lucky to win one game in the playoffs.

by Steely Mcwho? on Nov 14, 2008 10:58 AM EST reply actions 0 recs