NFL Power Rankings, Week 16: The Steelers somehow remain a Top 10 team despite losing skid

The Pittsburgh Steelers, along with the rest of the NFL, are coming off the 14th week of a journey which has never been done in the history of the game. Playing games amidst a global pandemic.

The league has done tremendous work with protocols and adjustments to make sure this season goes off without a hitch, but even the best laid plans can have their bumps in the road. The Steelers experienced that first hand with an unexpected bye week after the Titans’ outbreak forced their Week 4 game to be moved.

Who do the experts think will be the team to beat this season? Power Rankings are one way to decipher who they like, or don’t like, at any particular juncture of the season. Heading into Week 14, there is a lot which can be expected. The Chiefs find themselves at the top of most rankings, while the Green Bay Packers or the New Orleans Saints are everyone’s favorite now in the NFC.

Where do the Steelers fall? Well that depends. After their third straight loss, this to the Cincinnati Bengals, where do they have them dropping in the rankings. Take a look at some of the Power Rankings below, and be sure to let us know what you think of the rankings in the comment section below!

ESPN

1. Kansas City Chiefs
2. Buffalo Bills
3. Green Bay Packers
4. New Orleans Saints
5. Tennessee Titans
6. Pittsburgh Steelers

“The Steelers’ defense has suffered an onslaught of injuries recently but has mostly upheld its high level of play, thanks to versatile replacements such as Sutton. Sutton is a do-everything defensive back, at times filling in for Steven Nelson, Joe Haden and Mike Hilton. In a season in which he has made four starts, Sutton has three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and an interception, along with seven passes defensed. Playing in the last year of his contract, Sutton might not be in Pittsburgh much longer because he has played himself into a decent payday on the open market.”

7. Baltimore Ravens
8. Seattle Seahawks
9. Cleveland Browns
10. Indianapolis Colts

NFL.com

1. Kansas City Chiefs
2. Buffalo Bills
3. Green Bay Packers
4. New Orleans Saints
5. Baltimore Ravens
6. Cleveland Browns
7. Seattle Seahawks
8. Tennessee Titans
9. Indianapolis Colts
10. Los Angeles Rams
...
11. Pittsburgh Steelers

““We’re not a good football group right now.” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin didn’t pull any punches after Monday night’s ugly 27-17 loss to the Bengals, Pittsburgh’s third consecutive defeat after 11 straight wins to open the season. The offense was in full meltdown mode early, finishing with more turnovers (three) than first downs (two) in a first half that ended with the Bengals holding a 17-0 lead. Ben Roethlisberger played a central role in the struggles, and after the game he was answering questions about his arm and the deep passes that wobbled through the Cincinnati night like ducks that waited too long to fly south for winter. The chance of a playoff bye is all but history. Now the Steelers need to worry about holding off the charging Ravens and Browns in the AFC North.”

CBS Sports

1. Kansas City Chiefs
2. Green Bay Packers
3. Buffalo Bills
4. Seattle Seahawks
5. New Orleans Saints
6. Pittsburgh Steelers

“Three consecutive losses has this team reeling right now. They aren’t good enough on offense in any area.”

7. Indianapolis Colts
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
9. Baltimore Ravens
10. Cleveland Browns

Sports Illustrated

1. Kansas City Chiefs
2. Buffalo Bills
3. Green Bay Packers
4. New Orleans Saints
5. Pittsburgh Steelers

“I had no idea what to do with the Steelers after whatever that was Monday night. With Indy next, Pittsburgh is in real danger of losing the division to Cleveland.”

6. Indianapolis Colts
7. Seattle Seahawks
8. Cleveland Browns
9. Tennessee Titans
10. Baltimore Ravens

The Sporting News

1. Kansas City Chiefs
2. Green Bay Packers
3. Buffalo Bills
4. Seattle Seahawks
5. New Orleans Saints
6. Pittsburgh Steelers

“The Steelers failed to get well against the Bengals after looking lost offensively against Washington and the Bills. Forget catching the Chiefs — they just need to clean up sloppy play so they don’t drop into bad first-round playoff matchup without a division title.”

7. Cleveland Browns
8. Tennessee Titans
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
10. Indianapolis Colts