The Pittsburgh Steelers won the AFC North in 2014 and finished with an 11-5 overall record. Granted, they lost in the AFC Wildcard game to archrival Baltimore Ravens, but the team should look to improve in 2015. The team has had a tremendous amount of turnover with Jason Worilds, Troy Polamalu and Ike Taylor retiring as well as Brett Keisel being released. Throw in Brice McCain's free agency departure and you have yourself quite the interesting offseason at the team's South Side facility.
Maybe it is the turnover which had the team drop three places in the most recent NFL Power Rankings, or maybe it was what some viewed as a mediocre draft, or possibly the fact the team will be playing the NFL's most difficult schedule in 2015. It could be any one of those factors, or a combination of all.
Nonetheless, the Steelers, previously ranked 6th in the NFL, are now ranked 9th, per ESPN.com's Power Rankings. Here is what the writers had to say about the Steelers and how they justified their rankings:
The Steelers selected three defensive backs in a draft for the first time since 1995 after losing Troy Polamalu, Ike Taylor and Brice McCain this offseason.
Take a look where the rest of the AFC North ranked, and the explanation for their position among the rest of the NFL.
Baltimore Ravens: 7th - The priority in the draft? Find Joe Flacco someone to throw to. The Ravens drafted four pass-catchers after losing Torrey Smith and Owen Daniels this offseason.
Cincinnati Bengals: 10th - The Bengals drafted offensive tackles with their first two picks; both of their starters at the position are free agents after this season. Smart for the future, but might not help this year.
Cleveland Browns: 28th - The Browns drafted a league-high 12 players, including three front-seven defenders in the first three rounds. The Browns allowed a league-worst 2,265 rushing yards last season.
So, other than the Ravens, which teams ranked higher than Pittsburgh? Take a look at the Power Rankings Top 10:
1. Seattle Seahawks
2. New England Patriots
3. Green Bay Packers
4. Denver Broncos
5. Indianapolis Colts
6. Dallas Cowboys
7. Baltimore Ravens
8. Arizona Cardinals
9. Pittsburgh Steelers
10. Cincinnati Bengals