It's not easy to win with your backup quarterback in the NFL. It's really hard when your backup quarterback is borderline incompetent. But it can be done if other units pick up the slack. And that's why the Pittsburgh Steelers look like a more serious contender now than they even did before Ben Roethlisberger's injury. The Steelers have survived without Roethlisberger, who could return this week from a knee injury. Even if he misses another game, it seems like his return is close, barring a setback. The Steelers defense has played better than anyone anticipated. The defense deserves full credit for winning the game at St. Louis in which Roethlisberger got hurt, when it gave up just six points. Since then the defense has had three solid performances in a row despite an offense that rarely moved the ball with Michael Vick at quarterback. They gave up 13 points on Sunday to a good Cardinals offense. The defense's performance on Sunday bought time until Vick got hurt and the Steelers had to go with Landry Jones, who in his first NFL appearance figured out how to get the ball in the hands of the Steelers' many playmakers. [ Play Yahoo Daily Fantasy and get a 100% deposit bonus with your first deposit ] The Steelers won at the Rams, blew a weird game against the Ravens they should have won, then won at San Diego and beat Arizona. That's a really positive stretch considering Roethlisberger was out. Now the Steelers are 4-2, with their only other loss in an impossible spot at New England on opening night. Once Roethlisberger returns, the offense is going to explode, and now the defense has some confidence that it can play well too. What the Steelers as a whole did with Vick mostly flailing around was impressive. it put them in position to make a nice run once their quarterback returned. Look around the NFL. There aren't many impressive teams other than the five remaining undefeated teams. The Atlanta Falcons have the best resume so far, but I'd prefer the Steelers with Roethlisberger, and he'll be back soon. The Jets have been very good, but ultimately I still don't trust them to win big with Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback. Who else really stands out? A Cardinals team whose best win is against the Bears and who just lost to Landry Jones? With teams like the Colts, Seahawks, Ravens and Chiefs having disappointing starts, there aren't too many trustworthy teams out there, aside from the five undefeated teams. But I do like the Steelers. We all know what they can be with Roethlisberger back. Don't be too surprised when Pittsburgh makes a big second-half surge. This stretch without their quarterback has said a lot about the Steelers. Here are Shutdown Corner's power rankings after Week 6: 32. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5, Last week: 32) Gus Bradley needs some wins to save his job. He's 8-30. The Jaguars are done this season already. I don't know that a loss at London would cause a firing, but you have to believe that the final 10 games are an audition for 2016. If he makes it 10 more games. 31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-3, LW: 27) After playing at Washington, check out this stretch for Tampa: at Atlanta, vs. Giants, vs. Dallas, at Philadelphia, at Indianapolis, vs. Atlanta. There might not be many wins before December for the Bucs. 30. Kansas City Chiefs (1-5, LW: 23) The season is lost, so the rest of the games should be spent opening things up a bit. Get a modern-day NFL passing offense going into next season. 29. Baltimore Ravens (1-5, LW: 22) Going back to last season with the Bears, Ravens offensive coordinator Marc Trestman is 1-10 in his last 11 games. 28. San Francisco 49ers (2-4, LW: 30) I don't know if it was Colin Kaepernick breaking a slump or the Ravens being awful, but Kaepernick had a nice game on Sunday. He gets Seattle next, which isn't as intimidating as it has been in years past. Another positive game could get him going in a nice direction.
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