Power Ranking Number 17: Pittsburgh Steelers

QB Ben Roethlisberger was suspended by the NFL for the first six games of the season with the possibility to get the suspension reduced to the first four games. Even if that is the case and he misses only four game he still will miss 25% of the regular season. Offensive tackle Willie Colon will miss the whole season because of injury, and the Steelers offensive line last season wasn’t on of their strengths, and that was the reason of drafting Maurkice Pouncey in the 1st round of Aprils draft. Wide receiver Hines Ward is a staple in the Steelers passing game and the Steelers expect a lot out of second year wide receiver Mike Wallace this season. Running back Willie Parker is gone so the Steelers running game is all up to Rashard Mendenhall this season.

On defense the strength of their defense in their starting linebacking core with
LaMarr Woodley, James Harrison, James Farrior, and Lawrence Timmons, and they brought back Larry Foote to provide some depth. In the secondary they trade to bring back cornerback Bryant McFadden which helps the secondary out a lot since that was one of the weakness on the team last season.

Wide receiver Santonio Holmes was traded to the Jets this off-season and Roethlisberger is out at least the first four week of the season, quarterback Byron Leftwich will have to keep the team a float, but don’t be surprised in the Steelers miss the playoff for a second straight year.