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NFL Power Rankings, Week 9: Win over lowly Dolphins does little for Steelers’ position in rankings

The Pittsburgh Steelers have plenty of work to do before they are even considered a Top 15 team in 2019.

NFL: Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers are now 2-4 after Week 7 of the 2019 regular season, but how they got to this record has been a roller coaster ride. After a 33-3 drubbing by the defending champion New England Patriots, the Steelers followed it up with a close 28-26 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2 at Heinz Field. The loss was more than just another loss on the record, but the team lost Ben Roethlisberger in the process. With Mason Rudolph under center in Week 3, he was unable to lead the Steelers to victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, but did claim his first career win after beating the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football in Week 4.

How did they follow up that prime time win? With a gut-wrenching overtime loss to the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field in Week 5. In typical fashion, with their backs against the wall the Steelers gutted out a big win on Sunday Night Football over the Los Angeles Chargers before heading into their Week 7 bye week. Coming off the bye the Steelers continued their winning ways with a 27-14 win over the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football.

But before we get ahead of ourselves, it is that time of week where we check in on what other outlets are saying about the black-and-gold in those weekly Power Ranking articles. We all realize these rankings are completely meaningless, but they are great for discussion. Not just where the Steelers are ranked, but who made the Top 5 who should have, or shouldn’t have?

Check out the Power Rankings below, and be sure to let us know your thoughts on the rankings in the comment section below!

ESPN

1. New England Patriots
2. San Francisco 49ers
3. New Orleans Saints
4. Green Bay Packers
5. Kansas City Chiefs
6. Baltimore Ravens
7. Seattle Seahawks
8. Minnesota Vikings
9. Houston Texans
10. Los Angeles Rams
...
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
Player who needs to step up: JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR

“It’s not entirely his fault that he has had a forgettable first half of the 2019 season. Losing Ben Roethlisberger in Week 2 hasn’t helped the offense, but Smith-Schuster also needs to prove he’s capable of being the No. 1 WR the team needs with the departure of Antonio Brown. Smith-Schuster has only 25 catches for 340 yards and two TDs through six games. He also had two TDs at this point a year ago, but he had a lot more catches (42) to go with 561 yards. -- Brooke Pryor”


NFL.com

1. New England Patriots
2. San Francisco 49ers
3. New Orleans Saints
4. Green Bay Packers
5 .Minnesota Vikings
6. Seattle Seahawks
7. Dallas Cowboys
8. Houston Texans
9. Kansas City Chiefs
10. Baltimore Ravens
...
18. Pittsburgh Steelers
“Things were not looking good for the Steelers on Monday night. Down 14-0 to the Dolphins with Mason Rudolph playing like a guy who could use a few more weeks on the sideline. But Rudolph improved as the game progressed, and James Conner lent a much-needed hand with a big day on the ground (though he exited late with an injury). Even JuJu Smith-Schuster delivered a 100-yard game with a score, much to the delight of impatient fantasy owners. On the defensive side, T.J. Watt clinched the win with a sack/forced fumble/recovery in the fourth quarter, and Minkah Fitzpatrick had two interceptions against the team he couldn’t wait to get away from. I’m sure that felt nice. The Steelers have won three of four with the AFC South-leading Colts up next. Good test for a team that was left for dead at 0-3.”


CBS Sports

1. New England Patriots
2. San Francsico 49ers
3. New Orleans Saints
4. Green Bay Packers
5 .Baltimore Ravens
6. Minnesota Vikings
7. Seattle Seahawks
8. Indianapolis Colts
9. Dallas Cowboys
10. Los Angeles Rams
...
19. Pittsburgh Steelers
“They came off their bye and started slowly against Miami, but they played much better in the second half. They’ve won two straight and face a big one against the Colts this week.”