Former Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals running back Rashard Mendenhall is facing heavy backlash on social media following a controversial post he made recently. Mendenhall took issue at Steelers fans complaining about head coach Mike Tomlin following another frustrating loss on Saturday to the Indianapolis Colts. Some NFL fans and pundits think the Super Bowl-winning head coach could be on the hot seat. currently has three teams that would be playoff-bound if the season were to end today. The fourth team is plummeting in the standings but is only one victory away from drastically changing their precipitous tumble.
Everything hinges on the next few games for the division. The number one seed, playoff positioning, and wildcard spots are in play for all four divisional rivals. The division itself, however, cannot be won by the Cincinnati Bengals or Pittsburgh Steelers, ending the Bengals’ run at the top of the AFC North. Here are where the AFC North Power Rankings stand after Week 15 and as we enter the most exciting part of the season for the best division in the league.
Pittsburgh Steelers remain at the bottom of the power rankings for the second consecutive week. More importantly, for Mike Tomlin’s squad, they have played themselves out of the playoff picture. This seemed almost inevitable, as the Steelers had the worst point differential, by far, of all the teams in the division and playoff contention. They now own the third-worst point differential in the AFC. The Steelers are in the midst of the longest losing streak in the conference, at three. Their latest defeat came against the Indianapolis Colts, 30-13.
However, the perception surrounding that could change with just one victory. Their next opponent is the Cincinnati Bengals. Another head-to-head victory over the Queen City Cats would vault the Steelers ahead of the Bengals in the standings and the power rankings. Let’s hope that does not happen. On the other hand, another loss would almost certainly end Pittsburgh’s playoff hopes for the 2023 season. Let’s hope that does happen.
