NFL Power Rankings: Chiefs Rise, Steelers Fall
By Ben Nielsen
Sep 8, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) reacts after after looking for a pass interference call against the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Tennessee Titans won 16-9. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Reminder: It is only one week.
Arizona started 4-0 last season before finishing 1-11 the rest of the way. Peyton Manning is not going to average seven touchdown passes per game (I think). All of the teams who won will not finish 16-0 and all the teams who lost will not finish 0-16 (but the Jaguars might). So now is not a time to overreact and make definitive judgements on the season.
But with that said, let’s make definitive judgements on NFL teams.
There are some things we do know now that we have seen all 32 teams on the field. It is becoming apparent that the Steelers are getting old on defense and have lost the power running game that defined them during their run in the 2000’s. New England looked very shaky on offense without Wes Welker, Aaron Hernandez, and Rob Gronkowski. And there is a solid chance Indianapolis is going to take a step back from last year’s 11-5 season after watching the way they struggled with the Oakland Raiders.
What does all of this mean for their long-term season outlooks? Let’s go to the power rankings.