Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers: Week 3 Power Rankings

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

foxsports

The Pittsburgh Steelers are off to a good start on the season, knocking down two 2015 playoff teams in Week 1 and Week 2. This Week, the Steelers knocked down AFC North rival Cincinnati Bengals in a thrilling 24-16 battle.

Next: NFL.com

Sep 18, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; The Cincinnati Bengals offense lines up against the Pittsburgh Steelers defense during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

NFL.com: No. 1

Last Week: No. 4

“The top team in pro football right now. The Steelers downed two division winners from 2015 in their first two games. They did so without Le’Veon Bell and, perhaps more importantly, with consecutive stout performances from the defense. Cincinnati did manage to rack up over 400 yards of offense on Sunday. However, the key here is that Keith Butler‘s defense kept managing to get off the field on third down. Not to mention (but we’ll mention), Andy Dalton only pieced together 16 points. How about the impending return of Bell in Week 4? Two entities don’t want to see that: the rest of the AFC, and peeps (like me) who drafted (the great) DeAngelo Williams in fantasy.” -Elliot Harrison

There we have it. The Steelers are the best team in football according to Elliot Harrison. At first glance, I was truly surprised to see the Steelers on top of this week’s power rankings, but after reading the reason and looking at some of the teams below them, it makes sense.

The Steelers have managed to defeat two division champions from last season. The Redskins might not have been the best division champion in the league and the Bengals tend to struggle at Heinz Field, but still, it’s an accomplishment.

What is also an accomplishment is doing this without star running back Le’Veon Bell thanks to the league leading rusher DeAngelo Williams defying age. Also, while unmentioned by Harrison, Markus Wheaton hasn’t been on the field either, and he’s not someone who should go unmentioned.

The Steelers defense has continued their approach of bend but don’t break, and it has worked beautifully limiting Dalton’s offense to 16 points despite allowing over 400 yards of total offense. Kudos to Keith Butler.

The Patriots might seem scary starting out 2-0 without Tom Brady, but the injury to Jimmy Garoppolo might cost them a game or two, which is enough to argue that the Steelers stand in a better situation.

Sep 18, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) reacts to his touchdown catch as Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Michael Johnson (90) and Steelers tackle Alejandro Villanueva (78) also react during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Pittsburgh Steelers won 24-16. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN: No. 2

Last Week: No. 4

“DeAngelo Williams is the second-oldest running back in the NFL behind John Kuhn, but that hasn’t stopped him from leading the league in touches through two games. He’ll lead the unbeaten Steelers against the Eagles in Week 3.”

Back to No. 2 on ESPN after dropping down a few pegs last week. The Packers and Seahawks faced dramatic drops after disappointing losses and concerning offenses.

The only team above the Steelers on these rankings is the Patriots, and while it was argued that the Garoppolo injury should be enough to mount the Steelers on top above, ESPN has just as good of an argument.

They make the argument that even with Jacoby Brissett starting for New England, they host a Houston Texans team they’ve only lost to once 7 years ago in Foxborough. Plus, with the team he’ll be surrounded by, he has plenty of weapons to help him achieve victory. Overall, the Patriots are the scariest team in football, especially once Brady returns…

A lot of credit has to go toward DeAngelo Williams who has managed to lead the league in rushing yards and touches through two weeks while being the 2nd oldest running back in the NFL.

Sep 18, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) runs the ball past Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Michael Johnson (90) during the second half at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 24-16. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Fox Sports: No. 2

Last Week: No. 4

“The Steelers look like one of the best teams in the AFC after topping their division rival Bengals, 24-16. They’re now 2-0 and own the second-best point differential (plus-30) in the NFL, yet they’re doing this without running back Le’Veon Bell.” -Cameron DaSilva

I think we’re starting to sense a theme here. Once again, the Steelers and Patriots are the number one and number two teams in the league. Once again, Fox Sports mentions that Pittsburgh has managed to have a fantastic start despite lacking one of their key playmakers in Le’Veon Bell.

Still don’t know why no one has mentioned Markus Wheaton, who plays a pretty crucial role as the No. 2 receiver for Pittsburgh, but I suppose it could be argued that the combined forces of Eli Rogers, Sammie Coates, and the tight end duo (what a game for Grimble on Sunday) have made up for it.

Fox Sports titled this week’s power rankings “Has the AFC taken over?” and they may be right. The Patriots, Steelers, and Broncos are surging while the NFC doesn’t boast any teams that have seemed unstoppable quite yet (Panthers and Cardinals look good, but also lost to AFC teams…)

Yahoo Sports: No. 2

Last Week: No. 3

“Le’Veon Bell is really good, but when he returns from his suspension I’d guess he won’t dominate the snaps. DeAngelo Williams has earned a share of the carries. A pretty big share, too.” – Frank Schwab

I think it’s a consensus amongst analysts across the nation that the Steelers are in the top 2, and I don’t think anyone will complain about that. Schwab also pointed out that for the next two weeks, the Steelers won’t have the opportunity to go any higher feeling that the Patriots have proven to be the best team in the league, and will be so until Brady returns, win or lose. Once he returns, we can judge them again.

Schwab also brings up an interesting idea. Has Williams earned a share of carries once Le’Veon Bell returns? I would say so. I think most of Steeler Nation would say so, and most analysts would say so. But at the same time, Le’Veon Bell is the clear starter in Pittsburgh, and even if Williams has been playing fantastically, it wouldn’t shock me if Bell got a large number of carries.

Don’t get me wrong. I think Williams will find himself onto the field for a few carries a game, but at the same time, I have a feeling he won’t receive the amount he deserves, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Bell is the best running back in football when on the field, and offers more explosiveness and big play potential than Williams, as great as he is.

Can’t wait for Week 7 when Pittsburgh and New England go head to head.