The Pittsburgh Steelers, along with the rest of the NFL, are coming off the third 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, and while many didn’t think it was possible, here we are with the first three weeks in the rear view mirror, and all 32 teams going full steam ahead into Week 4.
Despite the league dealing with its first outbreak with the Tennessee Titans, the rest of the league is ready to roll next week.
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 4, there is a lot which can be expected. The Chiefs and New England Patriots find themselves near the top of most rankings, while the Seattle Seahawks or Green Bay Packers are everyone’s favorite now in the NFC.
Where do the Steelers fall? Well that depends. After a fast start, almost everyone sees the black-and-gold as a Top 10 team. 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. Seattle Seahawks
4. Green Bay Packers
5. Buffalo Bills
6. Tennessee Titans
7. Pittsburgh Steelers
“What we got wrong: The Steelers’ receivers would flourish with Ben Roethlisberger back at quarterback.
So, they’re not quite flourishing, but they’re not playing horribly, either. Through three games, JuJu Smith-Schuster has already matched his 2019 touchdown production with three scores but is averaging 9.4 yards per catch — down from 13.1 a year ago. And even though Roethlisberger has made establishing a connection with Diontae Johnson a priority, he is underperforming despite a huge number of targets. The slower start is not entirely unexpected, though. Roethlisberger is still working on his own rhythm. A week ago, he praised his receivers for being in the right places and running the right routes, blaming himself for not getting the ball to them.”
8. Los Angeles Rams
9. New England Patriots
10. New Orleans Saints
NFL.com
1. Kansas City Chiefs
2. Green Bay Packers
3. Kansas City Chiefs
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
“The Steelers closed the Texans out like Mariano Rivera on Sunday. Mike Hilton’s interception early in the fourth quarter set up a long Pittsburgh touchdown drive, which was followed by a three-and-out by the Houston offense, which was followed by another grinding Steelers drive that ran out the clock. Pittsburgh was outplayed in the first half by a desperate Houston team, but the defense shut out Deshaun Watson and Co. in the second half, finishing with five sacks overall. The running game shined, too, as James Conner and Anthony McFarland Jr. went over 150 yards combined on just 24 carries. The Steelers can beat you in so many ways.”
5. Seattle Seahawks
6. Buffalo Bills
7. Tennessee Titans
8. New England Patriots
9. Los Angeles Rams
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
CBS Sports
1. Kansas City Chiefs
2. Green Bay Packers
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
“They are 3-0 and I get the idea they haven’t played their best football yet. Ben Roethlisberger is getting there.”
4. Buffalo Bills
5. Seattle Seahawks
6. Baltimore Ravens
7. Tennessee Titans
8. New England Patriots
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
10. Chicago Bears
The Sporting News
1. Kansas City Chiefs
2. Seattle Seahawks
3. Baltimore Ravens
4. Green Bay Packers
5. Buffalo Bills
6. Pittsburgh Steelers
“The Steelers nearly saw the defensive wheels come off, but then their offense took control against the Texans, doing whatever was needed with run and pass to help them pin their ears back on the other side again. Complementary football is a lot easier with Ben Roethlisberger on one side.”
7. New England Patriots
8. San Fransisco 49ers
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
10. Tennessee Titans
Sports Illustrated
1. Kansas City Chiefs
2. Seattle Seahawks
3. Green Bay Packers
4. Baltimore Ravens
5. New England Patriots
6. Pittsburgh Steelers
“I’m not a big fan of stats like the Steelers have beaten three teams who are a combined 0-9, especially this early in the year when Pittsburgh has accounted for one-third of each of its opponent’s losses. The Steelers’ offense and defense have both been off at times, but at the end of the Texans win, we got a glimpse of what it looks like when they put everything together.”
7. Buffalo Bills
8. New Orleans Saints
9. Los Angeles Rams
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers