The score of the Steelers' game against the Bengals Monday night may have been close, but the Steelers outclassed the Bengals. The 6-2 Steelers were already near the top of most outlets' power rankings last week, and that figures to change after Monday night's win. These will probably get really interesting next week, when the Steelers face off against the Patriots. Regardless, here's how they did.
SB Nation: 4 (last week: 6).
Game of the week - maybe even the year - comes when next week when the Patriots visit the Steelers.
ESPN: 2 (last week: 3).
The Steelers are 3-1 with QB Ben Roethlisberger.
FOXSports.com: 4 (last week: 6).
It wasn't a great performance against the Bengals on Monday night, but they still got the job done. And Ben Roethlisberger seemed to have bounced back from his poor performance against the Saints.
CBSSports.com: 5 (last week: 7).
They sure made it interesting Monday night, but still found a way. Now comes a tough conference game at home against the Patriots on a short week. That won't be easy.
FanHouse: 5 (last week: 5).
Pittsburgh's defense looked surprisingly shaky in nearly blowing a 20-point lead at Cincinnati Monday. But two bigger problems surfaced: 1) The health of Maurkice Pouncey - he exited Monday's game briefly and the Steelers' line fell apart, so he has to get back to 100 percent; and 2) Jeff Reed missed another clutch kick.