Niner Noise
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NFL power rankings: Post-Super Bowl 53 wrap-up for 32 teams

By Peter Panacy

ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots and teammate Tom Brady #12 celebrate at the end of the Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The New England Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots and teammate Tom Brady #12 celebrate at the end of the Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The New England Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – NOVEMBER 02: Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates his touchdown with Ben Roethlisberger #7 during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on November 2, 2014 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – NOVEMBER 02: Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates his touchdown with Ben Roethlisberger #7 during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on November 2, 2014 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

9-6-1 record. . Pittsburgh Steelers. 15. team. 55.

On paper, the Pittsburgh Steelers should be much higher in NFL power rankings. After all, they still boast a likely Hall of Fame quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, have an up-and-coming running back in James Conner and two bona fide receiving threats in JuJu Smith-Schuster and Antonio Brown.

But the 9-6-1 record and failed playoff appearance tells you what you need to know: this team has problems.

A lot of them.

First, who knows if Brown will be in Pittsburgh after all that transpired late in 2018. He’s been openly flirting with the 49ers this offseason, and one can call into question the locker room dysfunction between Brown, Roethlisberger and head coach Mike Tomlin for not properly managing it.

Where will it stop? It’s anyone’s guess.

Plus, the Steelers defense needs help, particularly at linebacker and within the secondary.

Because of all the factors, Pittsburgh can’t rise any higher in our NFL power rankings to kick off the league new year.