NFL Power Rankings: Steelers 4-game winning streak cements them in the Top 10

The Pittsburgh Steelers found themselves in dire straits after their Week 10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. After being 42 seconds away from victory, things looked bad. I mean really bad. It wasn’t just the fans either, but the players echoed the fans’ displeasure following the game.

In other words, many thought all was lost, but the fans who felt that way forgot to tell the players and coaches. All the Steelers have done since that 4-game losing streak is answer it with a 4-game winning streak, essentially nullifying the skid they experienced.

So, after their 27-20 Week 14 win over the Buffalo Bills, their record has ascended to 8-5, and they are in sole possession of first place in the AFC North, and the No. 3 seed in the current AFC Playoff Picture. A lot can happen between now and then, but the Steelers are in the driver’s seat in regards to their playoff hopes and dreams.

It makes one wonder where they might rank among the NFL’s elite teams? We take a look at the weekly Power Rankings to see where the major media outlets have the Steelers projected.

Yes, I know there is no Power Rankings Super Bowl. Yes, I realize the Steelers moving up in the rankings means nothing. And yes, I realize these are often made to create a buzz. Nonetheless, they are good for discussion and debate, so below are the latest Power Rankings. Give them a look over and let us know what you think!

ESPN

1. New England Patriots
2. Dallas Cowboys
3. Kansas City Chiefs
4. Oakland Raiders
5. New York Giants
6. Atlanta Falcons
7. Seattle Seahawks
8. Pittsburgh Steelers
“Since his return from suspension, Le'Veon Bell has accounted for about 58 percent of the Steelers' touches (rushes and receptions) and 43 percent of the Steelers' yards from scrimmage. Bell looks to rack up more offense this week against the Bengals, the team that ended his 2015 campaign.”
9. Detroit Lions
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

FOX Sports

1. New England Patriots
2. Dallas Cowboys
3. Kansas City Chiefs
4. Atlanta Falcons
5. Oakland Raiders
6. Pittsburgh Steelers
“This is the team no one wants to play right now. Le’Veon Bell is the most dominant player in the league thanks to a recent month-long stretch in which he racked up 823 yards from scrimmage. And in Sunday’s beatdown (298 yards), Bell had 176 yards before contact against the Bills. That’s astonishing.”
7. Seattle Seahawks
8. New York Giants
9. Detroit Lions
10. Green Bay Packers

SB Nation

1. New England Patriots
2. Dallas Cowboys
3. Kansas City Chiefs
4. Atlanta Falcons
5. Oakland Raiders
6. Pittsburgh Steelers
7. New York Giants
8. Detroit Lions
9. Seattle Seahawks
10. Washington Redskins

NFL.com

1. New England Patriots
2. Dallas Cowboys
3. Kansas City Chiefs
4. Oakland Raiders
5. Seattle Seahawks
6. Pittsburgh Steelers
“Start thinking about all the productive running backs the Steelers have boasted since their inaugural season in 1933, and Le'Veon Bell's franchise-record 236 rushing yards on Sunday becomes even more impressive. John Henry Johnson, Franco Harris, Rocky Bleier, Barry Foster, Jerome Bettis, Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall all posted 1,000-yard seasons in black and gold. Former Steelers running back -- and Supreme Court Justice -- Byron "Whizzer" White never did it, despite leading the league in rushing. Ditto "Bullet" Bill Dudley. Thirty-eight carries for the Steelers back on Sunday. Now that's what I call a Bell cow. (Nailed it!) Eat your heart out, Zeke.”
7. Detroit Lions
8. New York Giants
9. Denver Broncos
10. Washington Redskins