NFL Power Rankings, Week 11: Steelers return ‘home’ to the Top 5 in the latest rankings

The only consistent aspect of the Pittsburgh Steelers early in the season were their inconsistencies.

After an opening week tie with the Cleveland Browns, followed by a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, the Steelers had shown it all — amazing offense, head-scratching play calling and shoddy defense, among others.

Needless to say, the Steelers experienced a precipitous drop in the weekly NFL Power Rankings because of their poor play which resulted in a 0-1-1 record heading into Week 3. However, a 30-27 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football had the Steelers on the rise. Right on cue, the next week they suffered a 26-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football, the Pittsburgh roller coaster was again on the decline.

Have no fear Steelers fans, a dominant performance in Week 5 vs. the Atlanta Falcons in followed by a big win over the Cincinnati Bengals had the team continuing on their upward trend. Or as Mike Tomlin would say, “The arrow is pointing up.”

Inconsistent was the theme early with this team, but they seemed to have been rectified this after beating the Baltimore Ravens in Week 9 and the Carolina Panthers in Week 10, extending their winning streak to five straight games.

In reality, these power rankings mean nothing, but they’re great for conversation and debate. This week, the Steelers saw themselves not just in the Top 10, but back in the Top 5.

Check out the rankings, and let us know what you think in the comment section below!

ESPN

1. New Orleans Saints
2. Kansas City Chiefs
3. Los Angeles Rams
4. Los Angeles Chargers
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
“Defining stat: 18. The Steelers have recorded 18 sacks during this five-game winning streak, including six against Atlanta and five against Carolina, both blowouts at home. Pittsburgh’s defense is predicated on front-seven pressure, and success up front is fueling a top-10 defense on third down (36.9 percent conversion rate).”
6. New England Patriots
7. Chicago Bears
8. Minnesota Vikings
9. Carolina Panthers
10. Houston Texans

SB Nation

1. New Orleans Saints
2. Kansas City Chiefs
3. Los Angeles Rams
4. Los Angeles Chargers
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
6. New England Patriots
7. Chicago Bears
8. Houston Texans
9. Washington Redskins
10. Carolina Panthers

CBS Sports

1. New Orleans Saints
2. Los Angeles Rams
3. Kansas City Chiefs
4. Los Angeles Chargers
5. New England Patriots
6. Pittsburgh Steelers
“The explosive offense is back and the defense is getting better each week. Here come the Steelers.”
7. Minnesota Vikings
8. Chicago Bears
9. Houston Texans
10. Carolina Panthers

NBC Sports

1. New Orleans Saints
2. Los Angeles Rams
3. Kansas City Chiefs
4. Los Angeles Chargers
5. New England Patriots
6. Pittsburgh Steelers
“It’s a bit hilarious how Le’Veon Bell’s other-worldly stats are being matched this year by James Conner.”
7. Houston Texans
8. Chicago Bears
9. Washington Redskins
10. Carolina Panthers