NFL Power Rankings: Packers, Steelers, 5 teams on the rise

Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8 in 2013)

The Pittsburgh Steelers have taken the steps to work on their weaknesses this offseason instead of just re-signing the same names, they’ve injected youth and speed into a defense that’s been old and slow for far too long. Two consecutive years of finishing 8-8 and missing the playoffs has had the Steelers in a position they’re unfamiliar with and unlikely to remain.

The Steelers will definitely benefit from the addition of youth and speed to the defense but they’re also going to reap the benefits of having a much easier schedule in 2014. Sometimes that makes all the difference in the world. The offense’s question marks lie mainly in the wide receiving group to see if the youngsters can make up for the loss of Jerricho Cotchery and Emmanuel Sanders, who accounted for over 100 receptions and over a dozen touchdowns for the Steelers in 2013. But, if Ben Roethlisberger gets his way, and camp goes well for this group, the Steelers offense will be a no-huddle threat from Day 1 which should certainly help them rise up from the 8-8 purgatory they’ve been in.