Rooting Guide: Who to cheer for in other games in Week 5

Steelers fans know who to root against week in and week out. They usually know to root against Baltimore, Cleveland and New England. But sometimes, you have to look at the bigger picture—the playoff picture. Here are potential teams to put on your foam finger for.

Each game that the Steelers take the field for, it’s about winning and not losing. That doesn’t always occur, but with the goal always being the playoffs… the other games become about seeding and matchups. Even though it’s not the Black-and-gold playing and the playoffs seem like a pipe dream, other contests still matter to Steelers Nation and we assume the Steelers will start winning for the sake of this exercise. Here’s a guide to other significant matchups, and whose losses the Steelers would benefit from more.

Here are the current AFC Power Rankings (ESPN)

1. Buffalo Bills 3-1 (Last Week: 1 – No change)
2. Cleveland Browns 3-1 (Last Week: 3 – Up 1 spot)
3. Baltimore Ravens 3-1 (Last Week: 4 – Up 1 spot)
4. Los Angeles Chargers 3-1 (Last Week: 9 – Up 5 spots)
5. Las Vegas Raiders 3-1 (Last Week: 2 – Down 3 spots)
6. Kansas City Chiefs 2-2 (Last Week: 6 – No change)
7. Denver Broncos 3-1 (Last Week: 7 – No change)
8. Cincinnati Bengals 3-1 (Last Week: 9 – Up 1 spot)
9. Tennessee Titans 2-2 (Last Week: 8 – Down 1 spot)
10. New England Patriots 1-3 (Last Week: 10 – No change)
11. Indianapolis Colts 1-3 (Last Week: 13 – Up 2 spots)
12. Pittsburgh Steelers 1-3 (Last Week: 12 – No change)
13. Miami Dolphins 1-3 (Last Week: 11 – Down 2 spots)
14. New York Jets: 1-3 (Last Week: 16 – Up 2 spots)
15. Houston Texans 1-3 (Last Week: 14 – Down 1 spot)
16. Jacksonville Jaguars 0-4 (Last Week: 15 – Down 1 spot)

WEEK 5

Sunday, Oct. 10

New York Jets at Atlanta Falcons (London) – Sunday 9:30 AM (NFLN)

Originally, this game would be of very little consequence to the Steelers, but the AFC New York franchise has the same amount of wins as the Steelers. You need to wake up early to watch this negative-five star matchup and if you do, go for Atlanta.

Who to root for: Atlanta Falcons

Green Bay Packers at Cincinnati Bengals – Sunday 1 PM (FOX)

The Bengals are starting to really find themselves and locate momentum. That’s a dangerous thing. The Steelers had chances to beat the Pack last week, so Cincy has an opportunity as well, especially at home in the Queen City. With a three game lead over Pittsburgh, the Bengals must be knocked down a rung for the Steelers to get out of the basement eventually.

Who to root for: Green Bay Packers

New England Patriots at Houston Texans – Sunday 1 PM (CBS)

Both teams have the same record as the Steelers, but only one is a great tormentor from the past. You know what to do here.

Who to root for: Houston Texans

Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars – Sunday 1 PM (CBS)

The Titans have been losing games, but not really at the rate that the Steelers have. A loss, coupled with the hope that the Steelers could possibly win, would greatly aid the cause.

Who to root for: Jacksonville Jaguars

Miami Dolphins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Sunday 1 PM (CBS)

Yes, I know he’s Tom Brady and it sucks to root for him. But the Dolphins, at 1-3, need to drop below Pittsburgh on the AFC ladder. Even though it feels dirty, the Rooting Guide tells us to do so. We must adhere to RG policy.

Who to root for: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Cleveland Browns at Los Angeles Chargers – Sunday 4:05 PM (CBS)

The Chargers are pretty good, but the Browns have good mojo right now. Of course, Steeler Nation needs the Browns to lose. But should Cleveland go to the West Coast and knock off a tough team…the Browns could start becoming unstoppable.

Who to root for: Los Angeles Chargers

Chicago Bears at Las Vegas Raiders – Sunday 4:05 PM (CBS)

The Raiders have already beaten the Steelers in 2021. At 3-1, they have a three-game lead already. The Steelers can benefit from that gap closing. Plus, Jon Gruden is an annoying man. Enough said.

Who to root for: Chicago Bears

Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs – Sunday 8:20 PM (NBC)

The Steelers beat Buffalo already, but they aren’t really a team to chase here. The Bills may have already wrapped up the AFC East. I’m joking, but I’m not joking. Should the Steelers somehow find themselves in the Wild Card race, KC is more likely to stand in the way of the black and gold. Therefore, they must go down.

Who to root for: Buffalo Bills

Indianapolis Colts at Baltimore Ravens – Monday 8:15 PM (ESPN)

Despite all of the injuries, the Ravens are starting to roll. If the Steelers can actually get back on track, they need the black and purple to get nurpled. The Colts finally won their first game last week, but they aren’t really a threat to handle Baltimore. Despite all of the injuries, the Ravens are starting to roll. Plus, this chip on their shoulder leading to still incessant whining over a business decision from 37 years ago is wearing thin.

Who to root for: Indianapolis Colts

Who do you like in these games for yinzer’s sake? Let us know in the comment section in this article or on BTSC social media. If you want more explanation to these picks check out the new Rooting Guide podcast below: