The Pittsburgh Steelers blanked the St. Louis Rams, 27-0, in Week 16 to run their record to 11-4. But beating the 2-13 Rams wasn't enough to improve the Steelers' place in the SB Nation NFL power rankings, as Pittsburgh remains at No. 6.
The five teams ahead of the Steelers are, in order, the Green Bay Packers (14-1), New Orleans Saints (12-3), San Francisco 49ers (12-3), New England Patriots (12-3), and Baltimore Ravens (11-4).
"Pittsburgh is in this place every year -- one of the top handful of teams in the league," writes Joel Thorman. "I'm just hoping for a playoff rematch with the Ravens."
The Steelers have a chance to overtake Baltimore in the AFC North if they defeat the Cleveland Browns and the Ravens lose their game against the Cincinnati Bengals. If the teams finish with identical records, Baltimore wins the division, and thus earns a first-round playoff bye, by virtue of its 2-0 record against the Steelers this season.
As it happens, the Rams' loss to Pittsburgh dipped St. Louis to No. 32 in the SB Nation rankings this week, which moved the Indianapolis Colts (2-13) out of the cellar.
For more on the Steelers, please visit Behind the Steel Curtain, SB Nation's Steelers blog.