NFL Power Rankings: Steelers fall out of the Top 10 heading into Week 3

The Pittsburgh Steelers were not victorious in their home opener against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2, and the loss to Las Vegas has dropped them out of the Top 10, 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 Kansas City Chiefs? How about the Seattle Seahawks?

Time to take a look at the latest Power Rankings:

ESPN

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2. Los Angeles Rams
3. Kansas City Chiefs
4. San Francisco 49ers
5. Buffalo Bills
6. Seattle Seahawks
7. Arizona Cardinals
8. Cleveland Browns
9. Baltimore Ravens
10. Las Vegas Raiders
...
12. Pittsburgh Steelers

“Fantasy surprise: WR Diontae Johnson

There’s not a whole lot of positive fantasy news for the Steelers two games into the campaign, but with a TD in Week 1 and 105 receiving yards in Week 2, Johnson is performing as expected as Ben Roethlisberger’s top target. He sustained a knee injury on the final play of Sunday’s loss, though, and that could dampen his outlook, at least temporarily. Running back Najee Harris hasn’t been able to get much space to run, although his involvement in Sunday’s passing game suggests better days might be ahead. Even the Steelers’ defense, one of the best in Week 1, faltered in Week 2.”

NFL.com

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2. Kansas City Chiefs
3. Baltimore Ravens
4. Los Angeles Rams
5. Buffalo Bills
6. Green Bay Packers
7. San Francisco 49ers
8. Cleveland Browns
9. Seattle Seahawks
10. Arizona Cardinals
...
12. Pittsburgh Steelers

“A big afternoon from the defense and a huge play on special teams paved the way for a Week 1 road upset of the Bills, but a home loss to the Raiders puts the focus back on an underwhelming offense. Ben Roethlisberger is no longer the star who can put the Steelers on his back; the 39-year-old veteran needs help to make this attack go and he’s not getting enough of it from his offensive line or running game. Part of that responsibility falls on offensive coordinator Matt Canada, who’s still trying to fit the pieces of the puzzle together. Pittsburgh should remain competitive as long as the defense stays intact, but a serious Super Bowl run will be impossible without balance on the other side of the ball.”

CBS Sports

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2. San Francisco 49ers
3. Los Angeles Rams
4. Arizona Cardinals
5. Kansas City Chiefs
6. Buffalo Bills
7. Green Bay Packers
8. Las Vegas Raiders
9. Baltimore Ravens
10. Cleveland Browns
...
14. Pittsburgh Steelers

“The offense is so limited right now in terms of what it can do throwing the football. That has to be fixed, but the defense didn’t play well against Las Vegas either. The coverage was bad.”

The Sporting News

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2. San Francisco 49ers
3. Kansas City Chiefs
4. Cleveland Browns
5. Los Angeles Rams
6. Arizona Cardinals
7. Buffalo Bills
8. Baltimore Ravens
9. Seattle Seahawks
10. Pittsburgh Steelers

“The Steelers didn’t get enough offense in Buffalo and stole a victory. Unfortunately, even with rookie running back Najee Harris and second-year wide receiver Chase Claypool sparking the attack against the Raiders, they still slumped on the scoreboard. Related to that, of greater concern to Pittsburgh are the growing/groin injury concerns on defense.”

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: