Saturday, September 30, 2023

Pittsburgh Steelers Week 4 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2023 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Below you will find a Week 4 roundup for the Pittsburgh Steelers in our consensus 2023 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 11

Biggest issue on offense: Consistency in the run game

The Steelers finally gained 300 yards of offense against the Raiders, but now they have to keep the ball rolling. Prior to the win in Las Vegas, the lack of ground game was the biggest issue with the Steelers averaging just 48 yards per carry. But against the Raiders, the Steelers gained 105 rushing yards -- including 65 from Najee Harris -- allowing the offense to set up the play action and move the ball more effectively. -- Brooke Pryor

NFL.com -- Rank: 16

Both the offense and defense showed signs of improvement in the win over the Raiders. The defense let Davante Adams carve it up, with some of his catches wholly unimpeded. That's concerning. But the Steelers took Josh Jacobs out of the game, holding him to 62 rushing yards on 17 touches, and they forced Jimmy Garoppolo into enough mistakes that Las Vegas was limited to 18 points. And while coordinator Matt Canada surely still faces ire from some fans, the offensive design Sunday looked far better (even with that early fullback stuff) than it had previously. Kenny Pickett threw more in-rhythm and found lesser-used targets -- Calvin Austin III and Pat Freiermuth -- for big plays while George Pickens received the star-wideout treatment from the Raiders. And now Pittsburgh is 2-1 after a terrible Week 1.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 11

They are 2-1 thanks to the defense. But at least the offense and Kenny Pickett showed some life against the Raiders.

USA Today -- Rank: 7

OLB T.J. Watt is on pace for 34 sacks and 11 forced fumbles. (It's early). But probably more important, QB Kenny Pickett and Co. finally started showing signs of life on offense Sunday night.

The Athletic -- Rank: 12

QB confidence rating: 4

The Steelers are winning because of their defense, not because of Kenny Pickett. He was crisp enough Sunday (16-for-28 for 235 yards and two touchdowns) but his offensive EPA per dropback (minus-.25) is worse than Sam Howell, Bryce Young, Justin Fields and Desmond Ridder, among others.

FOX -- Rank: 18

On one hand, 333 yards of offense and 23 points is not good — not very good at all by modern NFL standards. On the other hand, this defense is good enough to close out a lot of games if the offense can put 23 on the scoreboard. Sounds like Steelers football.

Yahoo! -- Rank: 14

Not all is well with the Steelers. We still need to see more consistency on offense (and for the love of everything, please don't run the ball on every single second-and-long). But wins are wins, and the Steelers are figuring things out at 2-1. It would have been worse if Deshaun Watson didn't give them some easy points, or Josh McDaniels didn't completely blow a late-game decision.

PFT -- Rank: 9

More George Pickens, more Jaylen Warren, more wins.

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