NFL power rankings: Playoff picture taking shape heading into Week 17

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HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 25: Le’Veon Bell #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is tripped up by Zach Cunningham #41 of the Houston Texans and Chunky Clements #96 in the second quarter an at NRG Stadium on December 25, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

55. . W, 34-6 at Texans. Previous: . Pittsburgh Steelers. 3. team

The Steelers needed to prove they could win without wide receiver Antonio Brown (calf), and they did just that, blowing out the Texans 34-6 on Christmas Day.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger spread his passes around, with receiving targets JuJu Smith-Schuster, Martavis Bryant and Vance McDonald all having at least three receptions and surpassing 50 yards through the air.

Meanwhile, running back Le’Veon Bell churned out 69 yards on the ground plus a touchdown.

Better yet, Pittsburgh’s defense had a vintage performance from years gone by, picking up a whopping seven sacks and six quarterback hits, while also forcing two turnovers.

OK, fine. This was against the Texans, and they’re terrible. But the Steelers clinched a first-round bye with the win and still have a shot at home-field advantage throughout the playoffs if they beat the Browns next week (they will) paired with a Patriots loss.

The latter is tough, but Week 17 still means something. And the Steelers may be rounded enough to make it all the way to Super Bowl LII.