NFL Power Rankings Week 2: Are Pittsburgh Steelers Poised to Rebound from Loss?

The Pittsburgh Steelers got absolutely smoked by the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1. The 35-7 loss was embarrassing in every way, as they were completely out-gunned and, worst of all, out-toughed by their bitter rivals.

The Steelers turned the ball over seven times and didn't force any in return. That minus-seven turnover ratio looks really ugly right about now.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger accounted for five of those giveaways (three interceptions and two fumbles) and looked terrible all afternoon. Big Ben finished the day completing 22-of-41 passes for 280 yards and a touchdown. His quarterback rating of 52.9 currently ranks him 31st in the NFL, ahead of only Donovan McNabb, who threw for just 39 yards in Week 1.

Ouch.

But fear not Steelers fans, all is not lost. Yes the defense started eight players over the age of 30 in Week 1. And yes, the offensive line looked very shaky. But it is a long season and there is still a lot of football to be played. Besides, would you bet against coach Mike Tomlin and a team that boasts Troy Polamalu and Roethlisberger?

Didn't think so.

Last year, the Steelers won the AFC after a great run through the regular season. We're not used to seeing them get shellacked like this; that's why it is so alarming. But they are still the Pittsburgh Steelers, and they have bounced back from tough losses before.

This Sunday the scheduling gods gave Pittsburgh the ultimate gift: a home game against the Seattle Seahawks. Pete Carroll's team looked almost as bad as the Steelers in Seattle's Week 1 loss to the San Francisco 49ers—and the Seahawks don't have half the potential or talent that Pittsburgh does.

Plus, I'm willing to guarantee that a team with Tarvaris Jackson starting at quarterback is not going to exit the Steel City with a win.

The Steelers will likely get well against the Seahawks in Week 2, then travel to Indianapolis and crush the Peyton Manning-less Colts in Week 3.

After that, we will probably have forgotten how horrible Pittsburgh looked in Week 1.

Week 2 Power Rankings

1. New England Patriots (1-0)	17. New York Giants (0-1)
2. Green Bay Packers (1-0)	18. Arizona Cardinals (1-0)
3. Baltimore Ravens (1-0)	19. Washington Redskins (1-0)
4. Philadelphia Eagles (1-0)	20. San Francisco 49ers (1-0)
5. San Diego Chargers (1-0)	21. St. Louis Rams (0-1)
6. Houston Texans (1-0)	22. Minnesota Vikings (0-1)
7. New York Jets (1-0)	23. Tennessee Titans (0-1)
8. Chicago Bears (1-0)	24. Cincinnati Bengals (1-0)
9. New Orleans Saints (0-1)	25. Buffalo Bills (1-0)
10. Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1)	26. Denver Broncos (0-1)
11. Atlanta Falcons (0-1)	27. Carolina Panthers (1-0)
12. Detroit Lions (1-0)	28. Miami Dolphins (0-1)
13. Dallas Cowboys (0-1)	29. Seattle Seahawks (0-1)
14. Oakland Raiders (1-0)	30. Cleveland Browns (0-1)
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1)	31. Indianapolis Colts (0-1)
16. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0)	32. Kansas City Chiefs (0-1)