NFL Power Rankings, Week 6: Steelers make a big jump after beating Denver

The Pittsburgh Steelers were victorious for the first time at Heinz Field against the Denver Broncos in Week 5, and the win over Denver has given the Steelers a boost, according to the latest Power Rankings.

These Power Rankings are something which should be taken with a grain of salt, but if nothing else they are good for some healthy debate.

Yes, Power Rankings can be an interesting exercise, and while we don’t put too much stock into these rankings it does give you a taste of how the experts at certain sites view the Steelers. Who do they have topping the rankings this week? The Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers? The Baltimore Ravens? How about the Buffalo Bills?

Time to take a look at the latest Power Rankings:

ESPN

1. Buffalo Bills
2. Arizona Cardinals
3. Los Angeles Rams
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5. Green Bay Packers
6. Dallas Cowboys
7. Los Angeles Chargers
8. Baltimore Ravens
9. Cleveland Browns
10. Kansas City Chiefs
...
21. Pittsburgh Steelers

“Most improved player: DL Cameron Heyward

How they’ve improved: Playing like a man on a mission, Heyward has been the anchor on a Steelers defensive front that’s been in flux with a series of injuries. Through five games, the 11-year veteran is Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded interior defender, outpacing Aaron Donald and Jonathan Allen. As a unit, the Steelers’ pass rush hasn’t been able to get as much pressure as previous seasons, but Heyward is still a force with 14 solo tackles, one sack and one forced fumble.”

NFL.com

1. Buffalo Bills
2. Arizona Cardinals
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
4. Dallas Cowboys
5. Los Angeles Chargers
6. Green Bay Packers
7. Baltimore Ravens
8. Los Angeles Rams
9. Cleveland Browns
10. Kansas City Chiefs
...
16. Pittsburgh Steelers

“Progress. The Steelers desperately needed to show signs of it on offense in Week 5, and that’s exactly what they did. Ben Roethlisberger threw for 253 yards and two scores, and Najee Harris produced like the first-round pick he is in a 27-19 win over the Broncos. It wasn’t all good news for the offense, however: JuJu Smith-Schuster’s season is over after he suffered a shoulder injury that will require surgery. Pittsburgh has a good group of playmakers at wide receiver, but Smith-Schuster was a treasured safety valve in the slot for a veteran quarterback who loves to get the ball out quickly when the pass rush closes in (and even when it doesn’t).”

CBS Sports

1. Arizona Cardinals
2. Buffalo Bills
3. Green Bay Packers
4. Los Angeles Rams
5. Los Angeles Chargers
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7. Dallas Cowboys
8. Baltimore Ravens
9. Cleveland Browns
10. Tennessee Titans
...
23. Pittsburgh Steelers

“They showed some fight in handling the Broncos the way they did Sunday. The defense dominated for much of the game. Could that be the game that gets them going?”

The Sporting News

1. Arizona Cardinals
2. Los Angeles Rams
3. Buffalo Bills
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5. Green Bay Packers
6. Dallas Cowboys
7. Los Angeles Chargers
8. Baltimore Ravens
9. Cleveland Browns
10. Kansas City Chiefs
...
20. Pittsburgh Steelers

“The Steelers found their long-awaited offensive formula with Ben Roethlisberger and Najee Harris harmonizing in a tough spot against the Broncos. They still are a work in progress trying to become a complete team in an even more difficult division.”

Washington Post

1. Buffalo Bills
2. Green Bay Packers
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
4. Arizona Cardinals
5. Los Angeles Rams
6. Baltimore Ravens
7. Dallas Cowboys
8. Los Angeles Chargers
9. Cleveland Browns
10. Tennessee Titans
...
19. Pittsburgh Steelers

“Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers aren’t done yet. The victory over the Broncos will quiet the talk, at least temporarily, that Roethlisberger has nothing left and the Steelers waited too long to move on. But it’s still an uphill climb to get back to contender status.”

What do you think of these rankings? Think the Steelers are too high? Not high enough? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below, and be sure to check out one of our newest podcasts where we do some rankings of our own! Check out the “Steelers Power Half Hour” in the player below: