SB Nation’s Week 13 NFL Power Rankings have the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 5, behind the Packers, Saints, Ravens and 49ers.
The Sunday night game against KC was probably too close for comfort but they’ve won six of their last seven, including a big win over the team ranked right below them here.
That would be the 8-3 New England Patriots.
The Steelers face off against the Cincinnati Bengals this week. The Bengals have already lost to the Steelers and Ravens and face a tough remaining schedule that includes the Steelers and Ravens again as well as the 8-3 Houston Texans. SB Nation has the Bengals at No. 12.
After starting 6-2, the Bengals are now 7-4, but they control their own destiny as they lead the race for the final wildcard spot by one game.
Sure, they control their own destiny, but good luck to them in what should be an extremely tough final month.
The fourth AFC North team, the Cleveland Browns, is at No. 22, and SB Nation notes that their 23-20 loss to the Bengals last week was the second time this season they’ve scored at least 20 points. (The other time came against the hapless Indianapolis Colts.
For more on the Steelers, check out Behind The Steel Curtain.