Friday, October 8, 2021

Pittsburgh Steelers Week 5 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2021 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the Pittsburgh Steelers rank in terms of average, best and worst:

  • Average ranking: 23.2 (23rd)
  • Best ranking: 20th (NFL.com)
  • Worst ranking: 28th (CBS Sports)

Below you will find a Week 5 roundup for the Steelers in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 24

Biggest surprise: Pass rush struggles

Why it's a surprise: The Steelers got plenty of pressure out of the four-man rush in Week 1, but haven't been able to replicate the same results the past two weeks. Without T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, the Steelers didn't record a single sack against the Bengals, and against the Packers, they only had two -- including one that appeared to just be a trip by Watt. Watt, who sustained a groin injury against the Raiders, said he felt healthy enough to play against the Packers, but he -- and the rest of the Steelers' front -- haven't performed to the same level they did in Week 1. The Steelers have shown an ability to play championship-level defense, but the lack of replication is surprising. -- Brooke Pryor

NFL.com -- Rank: 20

Beating the Packers at Lambeau Field requires a precision performance by the offense. The Steelers couldn't deliver that on Sunday, and they'll take a three-game losing streak into Week 5 as a result. The running game remains non-existent in Matt Canada's offense, and Ben Roethlisberger and his receivers aren't doing enough. On Sunday, Roethlisberger and JuJu Smith-Schuster left points on the field with failures to connect on two pass plays that should have gone for scores. Roethlisberger could have been more accurate on the throws, while Smith-Schuster could have helped his QB by flashing the playmaking ability that marked his first two seasons in Pittsburgh. The attack is not as dynamic as it needs to be, and it's made the Steelers a middling team.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 28

They just can't get the offense going. In a division with three 3-1 teams, they face huge odds to get back into the race.

USA Today -- Rank: 22

A team that's lost eight of 10 going back to last season needs to take advantage of a stretch when it will only leave Pennsylvania once over the next six weeks.

The Athletic -- Rank: 22

Just when you think the Steelers' offense isn't depressing enough, coach Mike Tomlin doubled down on Tuesday by saying that Ben Roethlisberger is the best quarterback to run it. It's a damning statement on the overall state of the quarterback situation in Pittsburgh, where a quarterback who took a checkdown on fourth down is your best and only option.

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