Record aside, where do the Steelers rank in the AFCN?

[TimmayLake]

I don't believe for a second the Steelers are better than the Ravens. I think the Browns could very well beat the Steelers too.

I currently have the Steelers as the 3rd best team in the AFCN, just head of the Bengals. What say you?

[rooneytunes]

I am today placing a 50.00 bet on them to win division. They are still + odds to win division.

On Sunday night Oct 19th AFC North standings will be

Steelers 5-1
Browns 2-5
Bengals 2-5
Ravens 1-5

You choke that away then I don't know what to say.

[TimmayLake]

Look at the back half of the schedule though:

Packers
Colts
@ Chargers
Bengals
@ Bears
Bills
@ Ravens
Dolphins
@ Lions
Ravens

I can easily see 7-9 losses there.

[anpsteel]

I am today placing a 50.00 bet on them to win division. They are still + odds to win division.

On Sunday night Oct 19th AFC North standings will be

Steelers 5-1
Browns 2-5
Bengals 2-5
Ravens 1-5

You choke that away then I don't know what to say.

5-1

lol

This team could easily be 0-4

Only crazy turnovers have kept that from happening


Beating the Browns won’t be easy -

[Gonzo]

with or withour current injuries ?
with burrows and lamar healthy steelers are 3rd best
right now they are likely first
if the browns had a real QB and burrow and lamar healthy they could be 4th
crazy division this year
i expect lamar to be back in a week - 2 at worst and the ravens will make a run for the division
bengals are done unless they go get a QB
browns dont really want to win
but ... i still think browns and bengals even in current shape will each beat the steelers once this year

[Deebo]

I am today placing a 50.00 bet on them to win division. They are still + odds to win division.

On Sunday night Oct 19th AFC North standings will be

Steelers 5-1
Browns 2-5
Bengals 2-5
Ravens 1-5

You choke that away then I don't know what to say.

Do you care to be reminded of the 11-0 start a few years back?

[bradshaw2ben]

I am today placing a 50.00 bet on them to win division. They are still + odds to win division.

On Sunday night Oct 19th AFC North standings will be

Steelers 5-1
Browns 2-5
Bengals 2-5
Ravens 1-5

You choke that away then I don't know what to say.

Can I take some side action? $10 via venmo says the Steelers do not win the division outright.

Reasoning: Baltimore won't get Madiubuke back this year, but they will get LJ8 and others by the time they face PIT. Steelers are facing the easiest part of their schedule and Baltimore the most difficult portion, other than division games.

I think the Ravens have a good chance to go 9-3 or 10-2 the rest of the year and Steelers probably something like 7-6 or maybe 8-5. It's going to be quite close by the end of the year, and that's with AR, DK, and the older defenders staying basically totally healthy the rest of the year.

[bradshaw2ben]

As to the OP... I don't know the exact order of the teams ahead of PIT, but I would say:

BUF
KC
BAL when LJ8 returns
LAC
DEN
NE

are better teams rn

[Gonzo]

I am today placing a 50.00 bet on them to win division. They are still + odds to win division.

On Sunday night Oct 19th AFC North standings will be

Steelers 5-1
Browns 2-5
Bengals 2-5
Ravens 1-5

You choke that away then I don't know what to say.

Can I take some side action? $10 via venmo says the Steelers do not win the division outright.

Reasoning: Baltimore won't get Madiubuke back this year, but they will get LJ8 and others by the time they face PIT. Steelers are facing the easiest part of their schedule and Baltimore the most difficult portion, other than division games.

I think the Ravens have a good chance to go 9-3 or 10-2 the rest of the year and Steelers probably something like 7-6 or maybe 8-5. It's going to be quite close by the end of the year, and that's with AR, DK, and the older defenders staying basically totally healthy the rest of the year.

the schedule is an overlooked item --- ravens and some other top teams have played a very hard early schedule
steelers have not.
i agree that the ravens will make a run at the division and I will be shocked if steelers finish better than 10-7

[StillerDownSouth]

I think I predicted the Steelers to win 4 games this year after week 1, pretty sure I predicted them to win 4-5 games last year, evidently I suck at predicting things, so I'll just enjoy any win they can get, and who knows, maybe the o-line gels, they learn how to stop the run and get good at running the ball on offense, Tomlin pulls his head out of his ass, they stay health, and A-Rod leads them to #7....maybe that's the script for this year, who knows.

[Steelperch]

SB Contenders
Bills
Chiefs

Potential SB Contenders
Chargers
Broncos
Ravens

Playoff contenders
Colts
Jags
Texans
Steelers
Pats

Put the Steelers somewhere between 6-10 in the AFC

[StillerDownSouth]

I am today placing a 50.00 bet on them to win division. They are still + odds to win division.

On Sunday night Oct 19th AFC North standings will be

Steelers 5-1
Browns 2-5
Bengals 2-5
Ravens 1-5

You choke that away then I don't know what to say.

Can I take some side action? $10 via venmo says the Steelers do not win the division outright.

Reasoning: Baltimore won't get Madiubuke back this year, but they will get LJ8 and others by the time they face PIT. Steelers are facing the easiest part of their schedule and Baltimore the most difficult portion, other than division games.

I think the Ravens have a good chance to go 9-3 or 10-2 the rest of the year and Steelers probably something like 7-6 or maybe 8-5. It's going to be quite close by the end of the year, and that's with AR, DK, and the older defenders staying basically totally healthy the rest of the year.

Harbs better fix that defense, they've given up 31 or more in 4 out of 5 games, not a recipe for winning many games, Houston wore them out yesterday, hung 44 on them, and this is a Houston offense that has been struggling to score points for a while now.

[swissvale72]

I am today placing a 50.00 bet on them to win division. They are still + odds to win division.

On Sunday night Oct 19th AFC North standings will be

Steelers 5-1
Browns 2-5
Bengals 2-5
Ravens 1-5

You choke that away then I don't know what to say.

Can I take some side action? $10 via venmo says the Steelers do not win the division outright.

Reasoning: Baltimore won't get Madiubuke back this year, but they will get LJ8 and others by the time they face PIT. Steelers are facing the easiest part of their schedule and Baltimore the most difficult portion, other than division games.

I think the Ravens have a good chance to go 9-3 or 10-2 the rest of the year and Steelers probably something like 7-6 or maybe 8-5. It's going to be quite close by the end of the year, and that's with AR, DK, and the older defenders staying basically totally healthy the rest of the year.

I'm not confident, but I'll take that $10 bet, B2B. Thing is, being a techno-dummy, since I got a new phone, I can pay on Venmo but can't receive...makes it hard AF for my kids to pay me back once I've loaned them $100 here, $200 there. They prob sabatoged my Venmo. Lol. But I'll make that $10 bet with you.

Oh, winning division "outright?" Winning via tiebreakers is still "outright," right?

[rooneytunes]

Man. There is a lot of scar tissue on this thread lol.

I got a feeling we are going to at least be in the Elite 8 of the NFL. Maybe even a home divisional round game

Defense is going to go crazy

[CzechSteeler]

I am today placing a 50.00 bet on them to win division. They are still + odds to win division.

On Sunday night Oct 19th AFC North standings will be

Steelers 5-1
Browns 2-5
Bengals 2-5
Ravens 1-5

You choke that away then I don't know what to say.

Can I take some side action? $10 via venmo says the Steelers do not win the division outright.

Reasoning: Baltimore won't get Madiubuke back this year, but they will get LJ8 and others by the time they face PIT. Steelers are facing the easiest part of their schedule and Baltimore the most difficult portion, other than division games.

I think the Ravens have a good chance to go 9-3 or 10-2 the rest of the year and Steelers probably something like 7-6 or maybe 8-5. It's going to be quite close by the end of the year, and that's with AR, DK, and the older defenders staying basically totally healthy the rest of the year.

Harbs better fix that defense, they've given up 31 or more in 4 out of 5 games, not a recipe for winning many games, Houston wore them out yesterday, hung 44 on them, and this is a Houston offense that has been struggling to score points for a while now.

No wonder that Zach Orr, Ravens´ DC, is on a hot seat. Very hot seat.

[shellwagnerblount]

I am today placing a 50.00 bet on them to win division. They are still + odds to win division.

On Sunday night Oct 19th AFC North standings will be

Steelers 5-1
Browns 2-5
Bengals 2-5
Ravens 1-5

You choke that away then I don't know what to say.

Can I take some side action? $10 via venmo says the Steelers do not win the division outright.

Reasoning: Baltimore won't get Madiubuke back this year, but they will get LJ8 and others by the time they face PIT. Steelers are facing the easiest part of their schedule and Baltimore the most difficult portion, other than division games.

I think the Ravens have a good chance to go 9-3 or 10-2 the rest of the year and Steelers probably something like 7-6 or maybe 8-5. It's going to be quite close by the end of the year, and that's with AR, DK, and the older defenders staying basically totally healthy the rest of the year.

I agree...the injury bug will hit them, as it usually does, and some losses will be irreplaceable like Rodgers or DK as you note. I'm trying to stay optimistic but I think we all know just what we are dealing with. A Tomlin and Co. team that will disappoint..lol. I'm happy with the start and I root for them every game..I hope they win the SB every year. But yeah...it sucks rooting for a team that has a guy who thinks a 9 point lead (courtesy of Mr. Boswell, of course) is safe, thinks that your staff should be mostly your buddies from college or their friends, who watched/studied BB in NE for a decade and apparently learned nothing about tactics or playing the long game, and who needs superstar level players doing super human tricks to make it all work ...gotta love it..I will lash myself 20 times for my insolence at this point since you have to be masochist to follow this team.

[gojira5150]

As to the OP... I don't know the exact order of the teams ahead of PIT, but I would say:

BUF
KC
BAL when LJ8 returns
LAC
DEN
NE

are better teams rn

I agree BUT the Ratbirds D is Atrocious. They will seriously have to score 35+ per game and that may not be enough. They made Stroud look like Warren Moon yesterday. That was too easy.

[bradshaw2ben]

I am today placing a 50.00 bet on them to win division. They are still + odds to win division.

On Sunday night Oct 19th AFC North standings will be

Steelers 5-1
Browns 2-5
Bengals 2-5
Ravens 1-5

You choke that away then I don't know what to say.

Can I take some side action? $10 via venmo says the Steelers do not win the division outright.

Reasoning: Baltimore won't get Madiubuke back this year, but they will get LJ8 and others by the time they face PIT. Steelers are facing the easiest part of their schedule and Baltimore the most difficult portion, other than division games.

I think the Ravens have a good chance to go 9-3 or 10-2 the rest of the year and Steelers probably something like 7-6 or maybe 8-5. It's going to be quite close by the end of the year, and that's with AR, DK, and the older defenders staying basically totally healthy the rest of the year.

Harbs better fix that defense, they've given up 31 or more in 4 out of 5 games, not a recipe for winning many games, Houston wore them out yesterday, hung 44 on them, and this is a Houston offense that has been struggling to score points for a while now.

Baltimore's Week 5 injury list explains a lot. And it doesn't even include Madubuike:

[Stillerz Bar]

SB Contenders
Bills
Chiefs

Potential SB Contenders
Chargers
Broncos
Ravens

Playoff contenders
Colts
Jags
Texans
Steelers
Pats

Put the Steelers somewhere between 6-10 in the AFC

The Ravens D is terrible so at best they are playoff contenders. Out west, The Broncos & Chargers are both bipolar. They can beat any team one week and then lay an egg the next. Plus the Chargers just put another RB on IR. As such, I'd move them both down to Playoff contenders.

As far as moving teams up, I'd slide the Colts into Potential SB Contenders. Their only loss is against a very good Rams team and they could have easily won it minus ANOTHER dumbass not holding the ball all the way into the EZ and then committing an unnecessary penalty on a Jonathan Taylor TD run. I understand those things happen and have even benefitted the Steelers this year but my point is that they went toe to toe with the Rams. The Colts Chargers game this weekend should provide a good measuring stick for both teams.

With all of that, here's my list

SB Contenders
Bills
Chiefs

Potential SB Contenders
Colts

Playoff contenders
Jags
Texans
Steelers
Pats
Chargers
Broncos
Ravens (barely)

[tbsteel]

The only team we've played that I feel we were better than are the Vikings, and they were missing their starting QB, RB, and most of their OL in what was essentially a Steelers home game.

[StillerDownSouth]

Man. There is a lot of scar tissue on this thread lol.

I got a feeling we are going to at least be in the Elite 8 of the NFL. Maybe even a home divisional round game

Defense is going to go crazy

If they have a home divisional game I’ll go, hell if they play in Denver or Houston I’ll go as well.

[Who Dee Knee]

Here’s how it plays out from here:

Cleveland W, 4-1
@cincinnati W, 5-1
Green Bay L, 5-2
Indy W, 6-2
@Chargers L, 6-3
Bengals W, 7-3
@Bears W, 8-3
Bills, L, 8-4
@baltimore, L 8-5
Doplhins, W 9-5 (official NHALS Championship Game)
@Lions, L 9-6
@cleveland W, 10-6
Ravens W, 11-6

Good enough for first in division and seeded second in AFC. We would play #7 seed, say Chargers or Patriots. Personally,I’d like to whack another Harbaugh.

[Who Dee Knee]

As to the OP... I don't know the exact order of the teams ahead of PIT, but I would say:

BUF
KC
BAL when LJ8 returns
LAC
DEN
NE

are better teams rn

How are the Pats better, we just beat them.

[Deebo]

As to the OP... I don't know the exact order of the teams ahead of PIT, but I would say:

BUF
KC
BAL when LJ8 returns
LAC
DEN
NE

are better teams rn

How are the Pats better, we just beat them.

Did you watch the game?

Pats outplayed the Steelers by a fair margin.

[Mick]

As to the OP... I don't know the exact order of the teams ahead of PIT, but I would say:

BUF
KC
BAL when LJ8 returns
LAC
DEN
NE

are better teams rn

How are the Pats better, we just beat them.

Did you watch the game?

Pats outplayed the Steelers by a fair margin.

the steelers were leading for ~39 minutes and never trailed. If someone wants to say the game didn’t mean anything because of all the turnovers, fine. But you certainly can’t use anything from that in New England’s favor either.

Edit: Topically, i’d say:
Bills + Chiefs are very good
Colts are good
chargers, jax, steelers and broncos are functional
new england and houston will win a lot of games in a bad conference
Baltimore is hoping to upgrade from losing blowouts to losing shootouts once lamar returns
Jets, raiders, cleveland, cinci, miami, and tennessee are garbage

So we looking 4-7 range.

[Deebo]

How are the Pats better, we just beat them.

Did you watch the game?

Pats outplayed the Steelers by a fair margin.

the steelers were leading for ~39 minutes and never trailed. If someone wants to say the game didn’t mean anything because of all the turnovers, fine. But you certainly can’t use anything from that in New England’s favor either.

It's a fair statement to say the Pats outplayed the Steelers even if they lead for most of the game.
It's also a fair statement to say the Steelers outplayed the Vikes the next week.

There's context to "having a lead". Doesn't mean you're playing good football

[Dan Smith--BYU]

The Wild Card is injuries, I fear by November Howard may be starting.

[Steeldrama]

“Over the past two weeks, the Steelers are 1-0 . . . and the rest of the division is 0-6.”

Soooo as of right now, the Steelers rank first

Vegas still has the Rats winning the division so like most of us, Vegas knows Tomlin does it with smoke and mirrors until the mirror starts to crack then ultimately break

[StillerDownSouth]

Bills or Chiefs, (even though Chiefs have subpar record right now) are the 2 teams that are super bowl contenders, every other team is going to get lucky to have a chance.

[bradshaw2ben]

As to the OP... I don't know the exact order of the teams ahead of PIT, but I would say:

BUF
KC
BAL when LJ8 returns
LAC
DEN
NE

are better teams rn

How are the Pats better, we just beat them.

Did you watch the game?

Pats outplayed the Steelers by a fair margin.

I mean, yes the Steelers won but Boise State beat Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl once, too.

I answered the question like: if they played next week and had everybody healthy, who would be favored to win. Since the game the Steelers beat them, NE added back to their defense their best pass coverage guy and their best run defender.

The Steelers would be underdogs to about 6-7 teams in the AFC. Turnovers are notoriously fickle and generally revert to the mean, so they're not a particularly good way to measure strength of performance.