Today the cards fell perfectly for the Steelers. The Jets lost to Buffalo, and Baltimore lost to Chicago. This has created a situation, where the Steelers are just one game out of the sixth spot. Crazy to think about, but when you look at the final schedule of all the contenders, it's not crazy to think that this team could be playing during wildcard sunday against either Cincinnati or Indianapolis...
Schedules of contenders:
Pittsburgh 4-6 = @ Cleveland, @ Baltimore, Miami, Cincinnati, @ Green Bay, Cleveland
Miami Dolphins 5-5 = Carolina, @ NY Jets, @ Pittsburgh, New England, @ Buffalo, NY Jets
NY Jets 5-5 = @ Baltimore, Miami, Oakland, @ Carolina, Cleveland, @ Miami
Oakland 4-6 = Tennessee, @ Dallas, @ NY Jets, Kansas City, @ San Diego, Denver
San Diego 4-6 = @ Kansas City, Cincinnati, NY Giants, @ Denver, Oakland, Kansas City
Tennessee 4-6 = @ Oakland, @ Indianapolis, @ Denver, Arizona, @ Jacksonville, Houston
Baltimore 4-6 = NY Jets, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, @ Detroit, New England, @ Cincinnati
Cleveland 4-6 = Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, @ New England, Chicago, @ NY Jets, @ Pittsburgh
Here's what I think. Pittsburgh is showing signs of putting it together, and they can beat every team on their schedule. There is not a team on that schedule that doesn't have issues, or problems. Many of them are heading in the wrong direction like Cleveland, Baltimore, Green Bay, and Miami. Only the Bengals loom as a more complete team.
With the other teams that are contending, they have MUCH MUCH tougher schedules. Miami, Oakland, San Diego, Tennessee, and Cleveland will all probably lose 3 of their last 6. That's not enough to get in since these teams will more than likely finish 8-8 or 7-9. Going 9-7 might get you in. 10-6 will definitely get you in.
That leaves Baltimore and the Jets. The Steelers already beat these two so they technically own the tiebreakers. So, what this means is their biggest game of the year for this team could be thanksgiving night against the Ravens. Yet, they can't look beyond the Browns either. They have to go on a run. The Jets are playing a Jekyll and Hyde season where they win one, then lose one the next week, then win the following week. If they keep that up, they go 8-8.
Baltimore is a wildcard, but they are not the team they used to be. They look even worse than the Steelers in how inconsistent they are playing. So, if the Steelers can beat them in Baltimore, they have a real shot at securing the last seed. I think the division title is over. That's not going to happen, but the wildcard is very much in play. Then, they can beat the Bengals in the first round :thumbsup:
I"M THINKING PLAYOFFS. I wouldn't have thought it 2 or 3 weeks ago, and it sure as hell looked bleak after the Raiders. But, now i'm thinking that things are looking up.