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The Pittsburgh Steelers are 7-7, and those making power rankings feel the record doesn't lie, putting the team right in the middle of the NFL as they try to fight into the playoffs over the final two weeks of the season.
The Steelers have had some real chances to move back into the playoff hunt, with the Baltimore Ravens losing three-straight games. But instead of climbing back into the AFC North race, Pittsburgh has lost two-straight games themselves, one against the struggling San Diego Chargers and another in overtime to the Dallas Cowboys. Things looked all right with the return of Ben Roethlisberger, but since then, the team has lost both games, suspended its supposed best running back, and now faces a game against the Cincinnati Bengals that will eliminate them from the playoffs if they lose. As Brian Billick wrote at Fox Sports while ranking them No. 16, it's not a good look for Pittsburgh:
The Steelers seem to be ripping at the seams at the worst possible time. They have little time to get it right before they play their most important game of the season against the Bengals on Sunday. The winner will get a wild card.