The Steelers are off to a 2-0 start for the first time since 2017 and Steelers Nation is certainly stoked by the potential of this team. But the national media is also giving the Steelers some high praise for their promising start, as NFL.com and CBS Sports have the black and gold ranked fourth in their Week 3 power rankings, respectively.
Here's the excerpt of what Dan Hazus said of the Steelers ranking fourth in his power rankings on NFL.com. "The Steelers represent a pick-your-poison situation for opposing defenses right now. Second-round pick Chase Claypool had an 84-yard touchdown against the Broncos and has been an instant difference-maker through two weeks. Diontae Johnson is on his way to a big season, and JuJu Smith-Schuster has his mojo back after a 2019 that fizzled behind injuries and poor QB play. Which takes us to Ben Roethlisberger, who missed most of last season but somehow managed to return as exactly the same player he was before his right elbow imploded. No acclimation period necessary for Large Benjamin. The Steelers are scary."
Pete Prisco of CBS Sports had this to say about the 2-0 Steelers and having them ranked fourth in his power rankings. "They didn't quite dominate the way I expected against the Broncos - especially with a backup quarterback playing for Denver. They have to play better against the good teams."
ESPN wasn't as favoring with their power rankings, as they had the Steelers ranked eleventh, behind 1-1 teams like the Patriots and 49ers. Here's what Brooke Pryor said in her excerpt about an under-the-radar fantasy standout on the Steelers, who she elected Diontae Johnson. "It's hard to call Johnson under the radar when he was a trendy sleeper pick before the season. He is inconsistent and has started games slowly; but he has eight receptions on 13 targets, and he led the Steelers with 92 receiving yards against the Broncos. If Johnson becomes a bona fide WR1 in fantasy, keep an eye on Chase Claypool to develop into the next under-the-radar asset. Claypool has been targeted five times and has five catches -- including an 84-yard touchdown against the Broncos."
Power rankings really don't mean much in the grand scheme of things, but there's a general agreement right now with the national media that the Steelers are at least a top 5 team in the league.