2012 NFL Power Rankings: Pittsburgh Steelers end season ranked No. 17

The Pittsburgh Steelers end the season as the 17th ranked team in the SB Nation NFL power rankings by Joel Thorman. The Steelers went 8-8 and missed the playoffs in what was a disappointing season in Pittsburgh and their worst performance under coach Mike Tomlin.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers (LW: 18, 8-8): The Steelers miss the playoffs and don't go crazy firing everyone. Maybe a lesson to be learned there.

With Tomlin having made the playoffs in four of his six seasons with two AFC Championships and one Super Bowl, it would be pretty shocking if the Steelers made any big changes, even with their highly-expected level of success.

Pittsburgh got off to a 6-3 start, but struggled with Ben Roethlisberger out of the lineup and continued to struggle when he returned, finishing the season 2-5.

The Denver Broncos ended the regular season as the top team in the power rankings. As for the Steelers division rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals finished at No. 9, the Baltimore Ravens at No. 13, and the Cleveland Browns at No. 23.