Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers Power Rankings: Week 13

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

The Steelers got a big win on Thanksgiving against the Indianapolis Colts with a 28-7 rout that saw every facet of the game dominated by Pittsburgh. Heading into December, the Steelers will need to finish strong if they want to go to the playoffs.

Next: NFL.com

Nov 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Steelers won 28-7. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

NFL.com: No. 14

Last Week: No. 17

Let’s talk a bit like Antonio Brown.

For far too long has there been a debate about who the best receiver in the league is. Julio Jones has made his argument, as has a couple other candidates. There is no better wide receiver in the league than #84.

Brown has had the most consistently amazing statistics and production over the last three years that it shouldn’t even be an argument. In this game against Indianapolis, Brown absolutely burned cornerback Vontae Davis. If you haven’t seen him break Davis’ ankles yet on a beautiful route, watch it here. Definitely worth seeing.

Entering December, the Steelers still trail the Baltimore Ravens with an even record, but an undefeated Baltimore when it comes to division play. Pittsburgh will need to string together a few wins and build momentum on their way to a pivotal Week 16 matchup against Baltimore that could decide this season’s fate.

ESPN: No. 9

Last Week: No. 13

After mysteriously dropping the Steelers after a win against Cleveland a week ago, ESPN has jumped them back up.

We’ve already talked about Antonio Brown, but then there’s Le’Veon Bell. Brown might be the best wide receiver in the league, but Le’Veon Bell might be the most impactful player of any position in the league. He is such a dynamic back, and since his return has led the league in total scrimmage yards.

He can catch out of the backfield, he can run, and he has a combination of speed, power, and shiftiness like no other running back maybe in history. There have been a number of analysts who have tried to pin a comparison to him, but he’s his own player, and he’s like no other.

Bringing Le’Veon Bell into the lineup creates so many options for Pittsburgh that allow a player like Brown or other contributors to succeed. Also, with the number of touches he’s getting, workhorse doesn’t even describe him. He’s a machine, and he’s unstoppable.

Nov 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Mike Mitchell (23) intercepts the ball while Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Chester Rogers (80) defends him in the second half of the game at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Indianapolis Colts 28-7. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Fox Sports: No.  12

Last Week: No. 15

The Steelers have been fairly inconsistent this season and it has hurt them. They have exploded against great teams like the Chiefs and even held their own against the Patriots without Ben Roethlisberger. Then, they’ll get blown out by teams like the Dolphins or the Eagles. It doesn’t make sense.

The Steelers are still favored to win the division by most analysts. A lot of people look at the Baltimore offense’s struggles, and cite the Steelers’ most recent successes on defense as reasons why the Steelers have the advantage (besides their sheer explosiveness), but the Ravens still have a leg up, and Pittsburgh has to keep up.

Consistency and a strong December are key.

Yahoo Sports: No. 11

Last Week: No. 14

While the others praised the offenses, Schwab took a look at the defense. While Schwab seems concerned with the lack of sacks and that James Harrison is leading the charge, I’m not as concerned, and here’s why.

Yes, Cameron Heyward is gone and that’s an issue, but the defense has been so much better the last two games than before. Again, yes, they were playing the Browns and the Colts, but the defense has proven the capability to keep up.

Bud Dupree’s activation should not go unnoted. He was great last year until he hit the rookie wall, and now with plenty of rest, he should return and make an impact immediately. The Steelers have started to increase the number of blitzes they are running, and so far, it has worked. This is the same team that got eight sacks against Cleveland a week ago and has allowed only 16 points combined over the past two weeks.

The Giants explosive offense will be a good test. We’ll see.

Nov 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ross Cockrell (31) tackles Indianapolis Colts quarterback Scott Tolzien (16) as he throws a pass in the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Steelers won 28-7. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Author’s Opinion: No. 9

Last Week: No. 10

While on my rankings the Steelers don’t make quite a jump as others, I had them higher than all of them did last week.

The Steelers displayed how explosive their offense can be against Indianapolis. The Steelers saw an impact from Eli Rogers and Ladarius Green as well besides just the explosiveness of Bell and Brown.

Pittsburgh has a good track record of having great Decembers and with a hungry competitor like Roethlisberger at the helm, you know they’re going to be making a push hard for the playoffs. The defense has been a concern for a while, but has proven that it can create pressure and force turnovers, but has to continue that against more formidable opponents.

With the Giants this week as the hardest game left on the schedule on paper, a win would go a long way toward playing in the postseason.

More from Still Curtain

This article originally appeared on

share

Get more from Pittsburgh Steelers Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Pittsburgh Steelers

National Football League