The Steelers are rested, healthy and in first place.

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers didn't play a down last weekend. Their early hold on the AFC North strengthened anyway.

While the Steelers rested up following the first regular-season game in Dublin, Ireland — a milestone win over the Minnesota Vikings that boosted them to 3-1 — the teams chasing them fell further off pace and in some cases, further into disarray (see the Ravens Ravnes ).