NFL Power Rankings Week 8: Steelers continue their skid after back-to-back losses

The Pittsburgh Steelers are limping their way into the Week 8 bye week, both figuratively and literally. Dealing with a rash of injuries, Pittsburgh couldn't have asked for a better bye week, but they have also lost back-to-back games for the first time in 2016. After dropping a Week 6 game against the Miami Dolphins, and a Week 7 game against the New England Patriots at Heinz Field, it is safe to say they have fallen in the weekly rankings.

Time to take a look to see where the mainstream media has Pittsburgh ranked compared to their NFL peers.

ESPN

1. New England Patriots
2. Seattle Seahawks
3. Denver Broncos
4. Dallas Cowboys
5. Minnesota Vikings
6. Green Bay Packers
7. Arizona Cardinals

8. Pittsburgh Steelers
"QB Landry Jones looked pretty good Sunday until the fourth quarter, when he went 9-of-20 passing. The Steelers' bye this week will give Ben Roethlisberger time to heal without missing a game, but Jones could be in line for a few more starts before Big Ben returns."

9. Kansas City Chiefs
10. Atlanta Falcons

NFL.com

1. New England Patriots
2. Minnesota Vikings
3. Dallas Cowboys
4. Seattle Seahawks
5. Denver Broncos
6. Green Bay Packers
7. Philadelphia Eagles
8. Arizona Cardinals
9. Kansas City Chiefs
10. Atlanta Falcons
11. Oakland Raiders
12. Pittsburgh Steelers
"So Landry Jones didn't hold the Steelers back as much as was prognosticated coming into Week 7. If Ben Roethlisberger is the muscle car behind this Pittsburgh offense, consider Jones the '83 Pulsar with an aftermarket moonroof. Roethlisberger's fill-in threw for 281 yards with one touchdown and one pick, but he ultimately couldn't move the chains often enough (6 of 18 on third and fourth downs) to keep pace with the Patriots' offense. Much-needed bye on deck for Steelers, who will come out of their weekend off with a date in Baltimore. That's one important game in the AFC North."

SB Nation

1. New England Patriots
2. Minnesota Vikings
3. Seattle Seahawks
4. Denver Broncos
5. Dallas Cowboys
6. Atlanta Falcons
7. Kansas City Chiefs
8. Philadelphia Eagles
9. Pittsburgh Steelers
10. Oakland Raiders

FOX Sports

1. New England Patriots
2. Dallas Cowboys
3. Seattle Seahawks
4. Denver Broncos
5. Minnesota Vikings
6. Green Bay Packers
7. Atlanta Falcons
8. Kansas City Chiefs

9. Pittsburgh Steelers
"It's hard to drop the Steelers too far given the circumstances (playing the Patriots without Ben Roethlisberger), but the defense could use some improving. Offensively, Landry Jones proved to be a capable starter in Big Ben's place, connecting with Antonio Brown on several occasions. Roethlisberger should be back soon and the Steelers will return to their offensive groove."

10. Oakland Raiders