Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL power rankings: Close isn’t enough for 49ers entering Week 5

By Peter Panacy

CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: D.J. Reed #32 of the San Francisco 49ers fumbles the ball during a kick return as he is tackled by Michael Davis #43 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the fourth quarter of the game at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: D.J. Reed #32 of the San Francisco 49ers fumbles the ball during a kick return as he is tackled by Michael Davis #43 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the fourth quarter of the game at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 30: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers walks off the field in the second half during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on September 30, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 30: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers walks off the field in the second half during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on September 30, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

Pittsburgh Steelers. 19. team. 55. . L, 26-14 vs. Ravens. Previous:

It’s time to officially start worrying about the Steelers after they fell 26-14 at home to their AFC North rivals, the Ravens, on Sunday Night Football.

Their defense hasn’t looked good all season, and that proved again to be the case against Baltimore, which went 8-of-17 on third down and had a full 10 more first downs than its rivals — 24 to 14.

Not long ago, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and Co. would have spelled the Steelers defense with their own offensive output. Roethlisberger managed to distribute the ball well enough to tight end Vance McDonald and wide receivers Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster. But none took over the game in the way the Steelers needed in prime time.

And running back James Conner was a absolute non-factor on the ground, prompting questions about just how much Le’Veon Bell’s absence is being missed.

He’ll come back in Week 7, for whatever that’s worth.

The Steelers have more than enough offensive talent to bounce back. But the sub-.500 record to start the first quarter of the season is concerning to say the least.