2023 NFL Power Rankings: Pittsburgh Steelers

Young riser: RB Jaylen Warren

An undrafted free agent in 2022, Warren turned heads at his first training camp a year ago with hard hitting and explosive runs to earn a roster spot. In his second season, Warren's stalwart presence in pass protection as a fierce blocker has him playing almost as many touches as 2021 first-round running back Najee Harris -- 62 to 85. He has only 156 rushing yards to Harris' 300, but both are averaging 3.9 yards per carry and have a touchdown. Warren's versatility also helped him carve out a role as a third-down pass-catching back with 22 receptions for 165 yards. -- Brooke Pryor

Boy, if this team could figure out its first-half (and sometimes first-three-quarters) offensive slumps, we might have something here. The Steelers gained 192 of their 300 yards in the win over the Rams during the fourth quarter, via three drives: TD, TD, four-minute offense. That's pretty much football nirvana for Mike Tomlin, dominating a team in the final stanza on the road. But it's like I tell my kids all the time: It doesn't have to be this hard. Still, somehow, it works. An offense like this can't afford to have George Pickens and Diontae Johnson flagged for taunting. Pickens put up his second straight 100-yard game, but he also had another bad penalty in the first quarter that likely cost Pittsburgh points. The Steelers are riding the razor's edge, but maybe you can do that when you have T.J. Watt.

Mike Tomlin has done a nice job with this team this year. It's good to see the offense show some life against the Rams as they ready for a big game with the Jaguars.

"They don't blink," HC Mike Tomlin said of Sunday's win against the Rams. "They cut their eyelids off, and they go at it. Like I told them, it's not a compliment. It's required. I'm just acknowledging it." Eat your heart out, Dan Campbell.

One question: Who will win defensive player of the year?

We ask this question in the Steelers section because T.J. Watt is at or near the top of the list. Watt still is on pace to break his own single-season sacks record of 22 1/2 despite not having a sack for the first time Sunday. He did grab his first interception of the season, though, to keep the Steelers in the game. Watt is tied for fifth in the league with 22 defensive splash plays, according to TruMedia, which is three more than Cleveland's Myles Garrett, Watt's main competition.

It's too soon to say the offense is fixed, but that definitely qualifies as a sign of life. Kenny Pickett looked cool and confident guiding the Steelers' offense to 14 fourth-quarter points, which has looked like such a hopeless proposition at times this year. There are plenty of valid criticisms you can make, but the Steelers find ways to win.

Last season, the Steelers had games in which they had no business winning, but somehow ended up winning. Then, by the end of the season, everyone was surprised when they were in playoff contention. Nobody would say the Steelers are playing a 4-2 level this season, but they keep getting wins in ugly fashion. They all count the same.

Being outplayed is far less relevant than being outscored.

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