Steelers Power Rankings: Week 14

The Steelers have now prolonged their winning streak to three games and seem to be rolling forward into a pivotal December finish.

NFL.com: No. 9

Last Week: No. 14

“Sizable jump for the Steelers, who are up five spots following the convincing win over the Giants at the Ketchup Bottle. The championship-caliber offense managed to inhibit itself with a few drops and penalties, making us all wonder what’s going to happen when some poor team feels the brunt of what this explosive group can do when all the stars are aligned. That’s something we haven’t seen in the last two postseasons due to injuries. I don’t care if it’s the Patriots, the Raiders or the AFC South sacrificial lamb — if someone draws a Pittsburgh offense firing on all cylinders, there will be blood. (Minus the sordid bowling-alley scene.)” – Elliot Harrison

Elliot Harrison finally likes the Pittsburgh Steelers.

After arguing for weeks that he just hadn’t seen enough to be convinced that Pittsburgh was the real deal after so much inconsistency this season, Harrison is finally convinced. For the first time in quite some time, the Steelers have cracked the top 10.

With a great win over a very formidable opponent in the Giants, the Steelers proved that they could be dominant in both facets of the game and against the better teams (Not just the Colts and Browns).

When this offense is firing on all cylinders, it’s scary. Roethlisberger has an arsenal of weapons to use, and Le’Veon Bell has become a monster of his own. With the addition to Ladarius Green to the mix, watch out.

Dec 4, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) and Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Artie Burns (25) talk on the field during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN: No. 5

Last Week: No. 9

“Ladarius Green is stepping up as yet another weapon at QB Ben Roethlisberger‘s disposal after setting a career high with 110 receiving yards against the Giants. The Bills are the next team that gets to figure out how to stop Green over the middle and Antonio Brown on the outside.”

ESPN has really been the opposite of Elliot Harrison all season. Harrison tends to have trouble believing Pittsburgh is as good as they are when they win, but ESPN fails to believe they are as bad as they are when they lose.

ESPN has been riding high on Pittsburgh all season, and have jumped them all the way up into the Top 5 with their win against the Giants. Additionally, the Steelers are above the Baltimore Ravens on this list, unlike NFL.com.

The Ravens and Steelers are going to have a tight race to the finish. While Pittsburgh does have the easier schedule of the two teams on paper, Baltimore has a knack for surprising New England and a game in Buffalo and in Cincinnati won’t be as easy as it may seem for Pittsburgh.

In the end, it could very well come down to the big game in Week 16. Steelers vs Ravens, for all the marbles. How else should it be? That’s the AFC North way.

Dec 4, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) runs the ball against Pittsburgh Steelers safety Mike Mitchell (23) during the second half at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Fox Sports: No. 9

Last Week: No. 12

“The Steelers appear to be getting on a little bit of a roll thanks to wins over the Browns, Colts and Giants. Now that they’re getting healthy, the offense is dangerous once again with playmakers all over the place. The biggest factor in their success is Le’Veon Bell, who’s putting up big numbers on the ground and in the passing game.” – Cameron DaSilva

The key to everything is Le’Veon Bell.

Le’Veon Bell has been the single most impactful player for this offense in this run of games. In these three games, the Steelers have decided to take a more conservative approach to their offense, and it has paid off tremendously.

Bell has averaged more than 20 carries a game and has been an effective weapon in the passing game as well. With his immense contribution (since the man seems to never tire), the Steelers offense is set up for success. Additionally, his dominance has caused more teams to focus on him which has also allowed for the flash plays to Green, Rogers, Brown, and the other players that make up the Steel Arsenal.

If the Steelers are to continue their run for the playoffs, it all starts with keeping the ball in the hands of Le’Veon Bell. The strategy is working. Keep it going.

Dec 4, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) throws a pass against the New York Giants during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Yahoo Sports: No. 9

Last Week: No. 11

“The past three games the Steelers have given up 9, 7 and 14 points. And half of that 14 came from a meaningless Giants touchdown in the last minute on Sunday. The first two opponents in that stretch were the Browns and the Colts without Andrew Luck, but still, it’s a promising improvement from the defense.” – Frank Schwab

Schwab brings up an extremely important point. The defense.

It’s not just the offense that has contributed to the success of this team. Many have ridiculed Keith Butler‘s “Bend but don’t break” policy, but it’s working. The Steelers have the best redzone defense in the league, and it showed on Sunday, forcing the Giants into multiple uncomfortable 4th down attempts throughout the game as they tried to mount a comeback.

The only meaningful touchdown of the game for New York was on a 17 yard drive due to Bell’s fumble. If the offense continues playing like it has, but also receives help from a defense that has continuously improved, calling this team Super Bowl caliber isn’t far fetched, at all.

Everyone on defense is finally working as a unit. Rookies Sean Davis, Javon Hargrave, and especially Artie Burns (who is playing lights out recently) are making their presence known and the veterans such as James Harrison, William Gay, and Lawrence Timmons are doing what we’ve seen from them for years. Having Gay play the slot more often was a big move for the Steelers, and it’s paying off. That’s where he’s seen a lot of his career’s success, and Burns and Cockrell have managed to secure the edges recently.

Another player who deserves a lot of credit is Ryan Shazier. The man can fly, people. Watching him spring through the Offensive Line and wrap up running backs is a sight of beauty and should not go unnoticed. The Steelers have found some gems in recent years, and this defense is on the rise. Oh, and keep up those hard hits, Mitchell.

Dec 4, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New York Giants tight end Jerell Adams (89) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier (50) and linebacker Lawrence Timmons (94) during the second half at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Author’s Opinion: No. 7

Last Week: No. 9

I’m not as sold as ESPN seems to be, but this Steelers team is definitely on the rise.

I think the main point that needs to be emphasized is that both sides of the ball are starting to get it together. Earlier on in the year, the defense was a mess and the offense wasn’t molding like it was supposed to.

The new gameplan on both sides of the ball is working, and the team is just looking better. Penalties have hurt recently, but that’s just a minor issue compared to the many bigger ones solved throughout the year.

I think the Steelers are a different team than they were a few weeks back, and I think they are the better team in the AFC North. I think they’re on a path to the playoffs, and truly a Super Bowl contender. It’ll be interesting to see. This game against Buffalo, on the road, in the cold, could be a real look into what this team is really about.