2015 NFL Power Rankings: Are the Pittsburgh Steelers a top 10 team to start the season?

The Pittsburgh Steelers are quite the enigma as they prepare to start the 2015 regular season. Some picked them to be the top team in the AFC prior to the start of the preseason, but then the injuries started, and the suspensions and some pretty poor play in the preseason. Now, fans are wondering what they will see when the games start to count on Thursday night.

Here at SB Nation, the recently released Power Rankings show the Steelers as the 8th best team in the NFL. Not too bad, but some argued the Steelers were ranked too high. After all, to start the season the team will be without Maurkice Pouncey, Le'Veon Bell and Martavis Bryant. Not to mention having the most difficult schedule in the league.

Here is what SB Nation had to say about the Steelers heading into 2015:

The Steelers should have one of the best offenses in the league again in 2015, but will have to ride out the suspensions of Le'Veon Bell and Martavis Bryant early. The defense in Pittsburgh is also a major question mark.

Couldn't have said it better myself. The Steelers could be a team with unbelievable fire power when they get all of their weapons back in their arsenal, but the question of the defense looms over the team and fan base like a dark cloud. A lot will be proven in the first week when the team faces Tom Brady and the New England Patriots on prime time.

As for me, I think No. 8 is just right for the Steelers. They may have a lot against them right now, but they still have Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, Heath Miller and Markus Wheaton on offense. On the defensive side of the ball, Ryan Shazier looks to be getting comfortable standing alongside Lawrence Timmons, James Harrison looks to have found the fountain of youth and Mike Mitchell has something to prove.

Are their question marks? Certainly, but show me a team without them and I'll show you someone who is lying. The Steelers will have a different look about them in 2015. Possibly having to outscore teams rather than impose their will on the opponent with a suffocating defense. However, a win is a win, right?

Here is the SB Nation top 10:

1. Seattle Seahawks
2. Green Bay Packers
3. New England Patriots
4. Denver Broncos
5. Indianapolis Colts
6. Philadelphia Eagles
7. Baltimore Ravens
8. Pittsburgh Steelers
9. Arizona Cardinals
10. Kansas City Chiefs