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NFL Preseason Power Rankings: Steelers outside the Top 10, behind the Browns in recent rankings

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a tough team to gauge this year, but the experts at ESPN consider them to be the second-best team in the AFC North.

NFL: Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL Preseason is two weeks old, and you know what that means, right? It is Power Rankings time!!

This is the point in the preseason when all the major media outlets will start to produce their own set of Power Rankings, only to re-do them just before the regular season in two more weeks. But I digress...

The most recent rankings weren’t just about who is considered to be the best team in the NFL at this point of the preseason, but ESPN took it a step further and gave a player/person who they feel is on the proverbial hot seat. Attached with that was an explanation as to why they were on said hot seat.

So, with no further ado, here is the first edition of the ESPN Power Rankings. Be sure to check back here throughout the year to not only see ESPN’s projections, but also other major media outlets around the world wide web.

ESPN

1. New England Patriots
2. Kansas City Chiefs
3. New Orleans Saints
4. Los Angeles Rams
5. Philadelphia Eagles
6. Los Angeles Chargers
7. Chicago Bears
8. Indianapolis Colts
9. Dallas Cowboys
10. Cleveland Browns
...
11. Pittsburgh Steelers
“Who’s on the hot seat: Kevin Colbert, general manager

Why his seat is warm: Colbert basically placed himself on the hot seat when he opted to go year-to-year on his contract, citing his age (62) and the need to assess his future with his family. His deal expires in May. The fact that Mike Tomlin earned a one-year extension last month while Colbert didn’t raised questions because the two usually sign in tandem, representing a lack of security for a key figure in an organization that thrives off stability. Both parties have one year to see whether the roster Colbert built will return to the playoffs after falling short last season. -- Jeremy Fowler”

...

Not only do I have a major issue with ESPN’s love affair with the Browns, but I also find it odd Fowler would consider Colbert to be on the hot seat. It isn’t as if Colbert hasn’t drafted well, but to point the finger at the General Manager for mismanagement on the field seems to be a bit on the extreme side.

I figured the Steelers would fall around the Top 10 of preseason rankings, but, when looking at the list, I can see them climbing these rankings when the games start to count. The Steelers are a tough team to read in 2019, but that doesn’t meant they won’t be able to turn things around and put together performances capable of winning a Super Bowl this year.

What do you think of the Steelers’ ranking? Too low? Too high? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!