NFL Power Rankings: Panthers are new No. 1 entering Week 13

The New England Patriots get praised for their ability to keep winning in spite of the players out with injuries, and the Pittsburgh Steelers deserve some of that praise as well. Ben Roethlisberger has been out with injuries multiple times this year, and was even forced to come back early after his backup Landry Jones was injured, yet he continues to put up numbers and keep his team in position to win.

Roethlisberger completed 36 of 55 passes for 456 yards, but that unfortunately includes two interceptions.

Two big plays from Doug Baldwin, a 30 and 80 yard touchdown reception, put the nail in the coffin for the Steelers in the game. It knocked the Steelers out of the second Wild Card slot in the standings to boot, but there is still time left.

The question is whether the Steelers can continue to dial up some magic to keep winning despite the obstacles in their way. The Steelers won’t get an easy match-up in Week 13 either, hosting the Indianapolis Colts in a Sunday Night Football match up. After that they get the Cincinnati Bengals on the road and the Denver Broncos at Heinz Field, that’s a rough stretch.

The Steelers do close out the season with the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns, so that gives them an edge if they can stay in the hunt through that rough three-game stretch.

Next: 9. Kansas City Chiefs