Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Pittsburgh Steelers Week 8 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: 15.8 (16th)
  • Best ranking: 15th (Multiple)
  • Worst ranking: 17th (NFL.com)

Below you will find a Week 8 roundup for the Steelers in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 15

Prediction we missed: Matt Canada's offense would transform the Steelers.

Heralded as an innovative mind in the college game with his misdirection and pre-snap movements, Canada was positioned to mold the offense in his image -- while also taking input from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Roethlisberger even said he was doing extra studying during training camp to make sure he nailed all of Canada's verbiage and concepts. But through six games, the flashes of signature Canada plays -- jet sweeps, a robust vertical game and a flurry of pre-snap motion on the goal line -- haven't been regular occurrences. Instead of a complete transformation, Canada's concepts have been sprinkled in and adapted to fit the quarterback's preference and ability. -- Brooke Pryor

NFL.com -- Rank: 17

The Steelers reached their bye at 3-3 and look like the epitome of the 8-8 team (or 9-8 or 8-9 whatever) as we creep toward November. Rising above mediocrity will take Herculian performances from their best players: Ben Roethlisberger has to be better than a game manager, while T.J. Watt must continue to play like a Defensive Player Of The Year frontrunner. An X-factor is running back Najee Harris, who's come on strong in recent weeks. The first-round rookie leads the team in receptions, is in the top 10 in the league in rushing attempts and has handled his blocking assignments. If Pittsburgh's offensive line gives him more room to operate, he'll leap into the Offensive Rookie Of The Year conversation.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 15

They come off their bye week with a big division game against the Browns at Cleveland. The Steelers seemed to find something in winning two straight before the bye.

USA Today -- Rank: 16

Save OLB T.J. Watt, who has seven sacks, no one else on Pittsburgh's previously vaunted defense has more than two. That's gotta improve for Steelers to avoid missing postseason for third time in four seasons.

The Athletic -- Rank: 16

Trick or treat: A combination of poor offensive line play and Father Time made some wonder whether Ben Roethlisberger's career would be in the graveyard by Halloween. But the Steelers found a way to win their last two games to get back to .500, and now they come off a bye week with a big game in Cleveland. The Steelers' defense is still scary -- and it's good enough to push them to at least a couple wins. Can the offense follow suit? After facing Cleveland, Pittsburgh has winnable home games vs. the Bears and Lions, so it's now or never for a team trying to put one last run together.

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