2019 NFL power rankings, Week 8: Packers statement, Chargers lament

Recap: Yes, Mike Tomlin’s club has gotten off to a rough start and the team has utilized three different starting quarterbacks this season. But there have been some positives. The additions of rookie inside linebacker Devin Bush and former Miami Dolphins’ safety Minkah Fitzpatrick via trade have added something to a defensive unit that has had its problems when it comes to forcing turnovers. After not forcing the Patriots into any miscues in Week 1, the Steelers have totaled 15 takeaways in their last five outings – tying their season total for 2018. Running back James Conner leads the team in rushing yards and receptions and has five of the club’s 12 offensive touchdowns.

Next Week: The last time the Steelers and Miami Dolphins squared off was three years. And in 2016, the clubs wound up meeting twice that season. While Tomlin’s club would lost at South Florida, 30-15, during the regular season, Pittsburgh came up with a 30-12 victory a few months later in the AFC Wild Card Playoffs at Heinz Field.

Playoff hopes: The Ravens are the only team in the AFC North with a winning record at x-x mark. And that obviously means that both the 2-4 Steelers and 2-4 Browns will still have a say when it comes to this division. It will be interesting to see if Tomlin’s battered team can make the most of its next three games – all at Heinz Field.

Recap: It’s not so much that the Browns have dropped four of their first six games this season rather it’s been how. There’s plenty of blame to be thrown around and the sloppiness displayed by Freddie Kitchens’ club in terms of penalties and those 14 turnovers – an even dozen of those by second-year quarterback Baker Mayfield. Running back Nick Chubb has been the club’s best offensive player, rolling up 735 total yards from scrimmage and six scores – all of those touchdowns on the ground. The team’s defense has had some real issues as of late but end Myles Garrett has been a bright spot with nine of the club’s 19 sacks. The Browns’ offensive line has really struggled.

Next Week: Kitchens’ team returns to action and hopefully took advantage of the extra week to prepare for the New England Patriots. Surprisingly, it will mark just the fourth meeting between the clubs since 2010 and the first encounter since 2016. That afternoon at Cleveland, the Browns were on the very wrong end of a 33-13 score.

Playoff hopes: The Browns obviously boast a very talented roster. But this doesn’t look like a very good football team these days. With the exception of the impressive win over the Ravens at Baltimore, the offense has been mistake prone and a talented defense has been very vulnerable to the run. This club is still learning how to win.

Next: Nos. 20 and 19