The Pittsburgh Steelers, along with the rest of the NFL, are prepared to embark on 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, and while many didn’t think it was possible, here we are with the season opening game between the Super Bowl defending Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans just hours away.
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 1, there is a lot which can be expected. The Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens find themselves near the top of most rankings, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are everyone’s favorite now in the NFC.
Where do the Steelers fall? Well that depends. Some see the black-and-gold as a Top 10 team, while other see them on the outside looking in. 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. Baltimore Ravens
3. San Francisco 49ers
4. New Orleans Saints
5. Dallas Cowboys
6. Philadelphia Eagles
7. Seattle Seahawks
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
9. New England Patriots
10. Buffalo Bills
...
12. Pittsburgh Steelers
“He came back from major elbow surgery and looks accurate and strong in training camp practices, but how will he fare once the regular season starts? With the absence of a preseason, his first game action will come a day shy of a year since he sustained the elbow injury. Roethlisberger has the potential to be a “better Ben,” as general manager Kevin Colbert touted this offseason, but can the 38-year-old quarterback play a complete season injury-free?”
Sporting News
1. Kansas City Chiefs
2. Baltimore Ravens
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
4. San Francisco 49ers
5. New Orleans Saints
6. Seattle Seahawks
7. Philadelphia Eagles
8. Pittsburgh Steelers
“The Steelers are bound for a big rebound with Ben Roethlisberger back healthy to lead an explosive passing game. They also boast a nasty pass defense with T.J. Watt firing up their edge rush and plenty more playmakers, including Minkah Fitzpatrick, on every level. They will make the rival Ravens sweat with a triumphant playoff return for Mike Tomlin.”
9. Minnesota Vikings
10. Buffalo Bills
CBS Sports
1. Kansas City Chiefs
2. Green Bay Packers
3. New Orleans Saints
4. San Francisco 49ers
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
“With Ben Roethlisberger back and a top-three defense, they will win the AFC North and push for a Super Bowl. Mike Tomlin will get this team back on track after an injury-plagued 2019.”
6. Baltimore Ravens
7. Buffalo Bills
8. Philadelphia Eagles
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
10. Seattle Seahawks
NFL.com
1. Kansas City Chiefs
2. San Francisco 49ers
3. Baltimore Ravens
4. New Orleans Saints
5. Tennessee Titans
6. Buffalo Bills
7. Dallas Cowboys
8. Green Bay Packers
9. Seattle Seahawks
10. Minnesota Vikings
...
12. Pittsburgh Steelers
“The biggest concern entering training camp in Pittsburgh revolved around the physical condition of Ben Roethlisberger, the franchise star QB attempting to come back from surgery to repair tears to all three ligaments in his throwing elbow. That no longer seems to be a worry as we enter Week 1. The Athletic reported last week that Big Ben “made every throw possible over the three-week camp and was impressive doing it.” That news should spark a huge sigh of relief for Steelers fans who are undoubtedly aware that team management didn’t leave themselves much of a safety net in the event that Roethlisberger had a setback or struggled mightily. Tragedy averted, the Steelers look locked and loaded with an offense that should return to top-five status in the AFC after a down year.”