Rex Ryan: Steelers Are A Perfect Match Up For Ravens But Not Others

The Pittsburgh Steelers are ready to bounce back after dropping a divisional matchup in Cleveland. They are still 8-3 on the year and hanging onto the third seed in the AFC. While the Steelers have stacked good wins this season, especially beating the Baltimore Ravens who are one of the favorites to win Super Bowl, one former head coach doesn't think they have the team to compete with the other top teams in the league.

Former New York Jets and Buffalo Bills head coach, Rex Ryan joined the Pardon My Take podcast and was asked his top five teams that could win the Super Bowl this season. His top team is the Detroit Lions who seem unstoppable this season, then would list the Kansas City Chiefs, the Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, and the Ravens. When asked why not the Steelers on the list, he believes that the Steelers match up with the Ravens well, but no one else on his list.

"Here's the thing, I think Pittsburgh matches up great with Baltimore, I don't think they matchup as well against these other teams," said Ryan. "I think that's the issue there for me."

Ryan believes Mike Tomlin has done a great job so far this season for the Steelers, but just doesn't see them beating teams like the Chiefs and the Bills to make it to the Super Bowl. The Steelers have had the Ravens’ number these last few years, winning eight of the last nine matchups, but Ryan thinks that is as good as it gets for Pittsburgh.

The Steelers still have to play three of Ryan's top five teams before the end of the regular season, as they play the Ravens, Chiefs, and Eagles in a 10-day span. The Steelers could change Ryan's perspective on the team if they are able to go 3-0 in that stretch. The Chiefs look vulnerable this season as they continue to squeak by week after week, as they won eight games by a possession -- games that Tomlin's teams thrives in. The Eagles on the other hand will be a challenge for the Steelers as they are playing their best football feeding Saquon Barkley, who is having a historic season in his first year in Philadelphia.

The Steelers offense has not been playing at a high level in the last few weeks, averaging just 18.5 points per game and 335.5 total yards in divisional games, compared to their 30.3 points per game and 382.3 total yards in Russell Wilson's first three starts. The Steelers also need to get the most out of their star edge rusher, TJ Watt, who was held to just four tackles and a tackle for loss in Week 12. The Steelers were having Watt and Alex Highsmith switching sides to create more opportunities for their pass rush against the New York Giants back in Week 8. 

The Steelers still have to play the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns again before they can show that they measure up against the top contenders in the NFL. After dropping their Thursday Night Football matchup with the Browns, they are hoping to get back on track when it comes to putting up points early. The offense in the last few weeks has struggled finding the end zone, as they went seven straight quarters without a touchdown before scoring two in the final quarter in Cleveland.

Steelers Have Much To Prove Before The Playoffs

The Steelers are still in control of their own destiny when it comes to the AFC North and finally seeing a home playoff game. While the offense has taken a step back since their Week 10 victory against the Washington Commanders, they showed in the end of their first loss in the Wilson era that they can still find the end zone. For the Steelers to get the respect they feel like they deserve, they have to end drives with six, instead of relying on Chris Boswell's leg. Pittsburgh also has to find ways to get Watt more involved defensively and find ways to slow down the run, which has been an issue for them this season outside of the Ravens game.

Do you think the Steelers are Super Bowl contenders? How do you think they matchup against Ryan's other top contending teams? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

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