Niner Noise
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NFL power rankings: Week 8 sees the Eagles sitting at No. 1

By Peter Panacy

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 23: Quarterback Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles throws a pass against the Washington Redskins during the first quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 23, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 23: Quarterback Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles throws a pass against the Washington Redskins during the first quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 23, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 22: Le’Veon Bell #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers carries the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first half during the game at Heinz Field on October 22, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 22: Le’Veon Bell #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers carries the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first half during the game at Heinz Field on October 22, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

5-2. . Pittsburgh Steelers. 2. team. 55.

Wouldn’t you know it? The Steelers have a defense again.

Actually, they have the No. 2-ranked defense in the NFL, which is quite the change from what we’ve come to see over the last couple of years or so.

Pittsburgh made easy work of Cincinnati in Week 7. Yes, the two losses quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and Co. have had this season are forgettable. But one was an overtime loss against the somewhat surprising Bears and the other, a flop against the Jaguars, seems to be more of “just one of those weeks” than anything else.

Roethlisberger was masterful against his AFC North division rivals, tossing two touchdowns and staying upright in the process. And running back Le’Veon Bell? Well, he’s shaken off any early season rust, picking up 134 yards on the ground.

More impressive, though, was the fact the Steelers only allowed 179 yards of total offense to a Bengals team still equipped with some serious weapons.

It’s hard to argue against the Steelers being the best overall team in the AFC right now, which is why they fit solidly at No. 2 in this week’s NFL power rankings.

Now about that guy Martavis Bryant…