NFL Power Rankings, Week 16: Bears celebrating, Patriots fading
Pittsburgh Steelers. 9. team. 55. . 8-5-1. Previous:
Recap: Losers of three straight games heading into their clash with the New England Patriots, the Steelers were looking to snap a five-game overall skid in the series. A year ago in Week 15, New England came into Heinz Field and handed Mike Tomlin’s team a tough 27-24 setback. But it would be the Pittsburgh running game and defense that would step to the forefront in a crucial win. Rookie Jaylon Samuels carried 19 times for 142 yards and for the first time in five games, the Steelers ran the football at least 20 times. Keith Butler’s defense came up big in crucial moments and held the Pats out of the end zone the final three quarters of the game.
Next Week: Tomlin and company head south to the Big Easy for the first time in eight years as the team takes on the New Orleans Saints for the first time since 2014. That latest meeting resulted in a 35-32 loss at Heinz Field. As for the clubs’ last encounter, the Saints came up with a 20-10 Sunday night win in ‘14 at the Superdome.
Playoff hopes: With the Ravens, Colts and Titans all winning on Sunday, the pressure was really on Tomlin’s club to come up big and it responded. The Steelers still have some work to do if they are going to hold off Baltimore in the AFC North. But a win next week and a Ravens’ loss gives Pittsburgh the division title.
Next: No. 8