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Steelers Power Rankings Roundup Week 8: Respect for the Steelers?
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- Steelers Power Rankings Roundup Week 8: Respect for the Steelers?
The Pittsburgh Steelers enter Week 8 with an AFC North showdown that carries significant early-season stakes . Pittsburgh can improve to 6-2 and take sole possession of first place in the division with a win over the Cleveland Browns . After a rough start that saw the Steelers fall to 2-2 following a loss in Cleveland, they have won three straight games. However, plenty of questions still surround this team.
The biggest question mark is the passing attack, which has struggled amid injuries that have left Pittsburgh thin at wide receiver. It remains unclear if or when either of the two injured receivers on injured reserve will return. What isn't in question, however, is that this offense runs through its running back duo. Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle delivered a strong performance in Week 7, combining for 223 yards from scrimmage in Pittsburgh's 16-10 win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
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The national outlook on the Steelers is understandably more cautious than that of the local media. Pittsburgh must prove it is not only a legitimate AFC North contender but also a legitimate playoff threat. The second half of the season will give the team plenty of opportunities to make its case. Here's where national pundits rank the Steelers in this week's power rankings.
Where the Steelers Rank in NFL Power Rankings
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ESPN:14 (up from 17)
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NFL.com:14 (up from 17)
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Yahoo:14 (up from 16)
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Pro Football Talk:10 (up from 13)
What National Pundits Are Saying About the Steelers' Power Ranking
Oct 25, 2026; Paris, FRA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) fumbles the ball during the second quarter as Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jamel Dean (35) makes the tackle at Stade de France. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
"Both of the Steelers' starting cornerbacks, Samuel and Jamel Dean, have made big plays this season. But Samuel has turned a modest one-year, $4 million deal into a solidified role. Part of the reason Pittsburgh was comfortable trading cornerback Joey Porter Jr. to Dallas was because of Samuel, who has parlayed a stellar offseason into seven pass deflections through seven games. He has successfully rebuilt his career after undergoing spinal fusion surgery in April 2025." — Jeremy Fowler (ESPN)
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"Like with the Falcons, I'm having a difficult time discounting the Steelers. Yes, they defeated another NFC South team by a slim margin, but the promising developments seen on tape are becoming undeniable. The key difference: Aaron Rodgers' willingness to accept Mike McCarthy's in-game adjustments and execute them as intended. In the Week 6 win at Tampa Bay, they shifted to a shorter passing game. In Sunday's Paris win over New Orleans, they decided it was best to ride with both Darnell Washington and Pat Freiermuth on the field at the same time, eliminating their early predictability. Rodgers even scrambled for a first down late, which made me feel like I had entered a time machine. Instead, it was just another victory for the 2026 Steelers, who have enough to continue winning in this fashion and don't seem interested in going away." — Nick Shook (NFL.com)
"Four of the Steelers' wins have come against losing teams (combined record: 9-19). They have won only one game by more than seven points, but they also have a victory over the Bengals and at some point it doesn't matter who the Steelers have beaten. They're 5-2 and going to be in playoff contention all season. They're making just enough plays, like they did to beat the 2-5 Saints on Sunday. What might keep the Steelers going is the running back combination of Jaylen Warren, who has emerged as one of the best playmakers at the position this season, and Rico Dowdle, one of the best backups in the league. They had 223 of Pittsburgh's 343 yards on Sunday." — Frank Schwab (Yahoo Sports)
"Sunday's home game against Cleveland is the closest thing to a "must" win that any 5-2 team will ever have." — Mike Florio (Pro Football Talk)
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Steelers Are Earning Respect, But No One Is Convinced
Oct 25, 2026; Paris, FRA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) and defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) wave to fans as they leave the field after defeating the New Orleans Saints at Stade de France Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
By most accounts, the Steelers are beginning to earn respect from national pundits. Analysts increasingly acknowledge that Pittsburgh is finding ways to win, and that is what matters most for a 5-2 team. However, much like their Week 8 opponent, the Browns, the Steelers have yet to convince the national media that they are a serious playoff threat. Most still view Pittsburgh as a fringe playoff team at best.
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That skepticism is understandable. If the Steelers beat Cleveland on Sunday, they will move one step closer to matching the 10-7 record they have posted in each of the past three seasons. While that mark has kept Pittsburgh in the playoff conversation, it hasn't established the team as a legitimate Super Bowl contender. A new head coach alone won't change that perception.
If the Steelers want to prove this season is different, they need to do more than win Sunday's divisional showdown. They need to finish with at least 11 victories and demonstrate that they can compete with the league's best teams. A win over Cleveland would be an important step, but Pittsburgh still has plenty to prove before the national conversation changes.
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This story was originally published by Athlon on Oct 27, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
