PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It’s crazy and not just talk show fodder, even for as lousy as they’ve played at times, the Steelers are still in the playoff mix.
The question of the realism of a playoff run is the subject for tens of other articles or hours of time on 93.7 The Fan. If you are the optimist or just don’t want to give up for a rooting interest for this season, winning the division is most realistic (if there is indeed realism for a post-season).
As the Fan’s Andrew Fillipponi pointed out on Twitter, it’s the tie with Detroit that likely will keep the Steelers out of the playoffs. The tie does eliminate all of those crazy playoff tiebreakers. Remember those days of breaking down common opponents and strength of schedule. No such worries this year.
Currently the Steelers are last in the AFC North at 6-6-1. Here are the standings:
Baltimore 8-5
Cleveland 7-6
Cincinnati 7-6
Steelers 6-6-1
Oh yeah, that Lions result really messes with this. The biggest obstacle with the Steelers playoff hopes is their own schedule. It’s daunting if not downright damning, ranked the number one strength of schedule over the final four games. Steelers face three division leaders and the other team is in second place.
Dec. 19 Tennessee (9-4)
Dec. 26 at Kansas City (9-4)
Jan. 3 Cleveland (7-6)
Jan. 9 at Baltimore (8-5)
The Ravens are interesting as they have overcome so many injuries to win games with incredible comebacks. However, the severity of QB Lamar Jackson’s ankle injury plays a huge factor in this division. Here is Baltimore’s schedule:
Green Bay (10-3)
at Cincinnati (7-6)
Rams (8-4)
Steelers
Given up for dead a few times this year with huge expectations for the season. The Browns are just a game out of first place and have what appears to be an easy game on Saturday. Here is Cleveland’s schedule, rated the 7th toughest strength of schedule, easiest in the AFC North:
Raiders (6-7)
at Green Bay (10-3)
at Steelers
Cincinnati (7-6)
Weeks ago the darlings of the AFC North after a beatdown of the Ravens in Baltimore, Cincinnati’s schedule is also difficult. It’s also the only team in the division without recent playoff experience. How will they handle the stretch run? Here is the Bengals schedule:
at Denver (7-6)
Baltimore (8-5)
Kansas City (9-4)
at Cleveland (7-6)
If the Steelers can’t win the division, there are so many other teams involved in the Wild Card hunt. Here are the schedules of the teams not leading their division, and remember the Browns and Bengals are 7-6. There are three spots available.
Los Angeles (8-5)—Chiefs, at Houston, Denver, at Las Vegas
Buffalo (7-6)--Carolina, at New England, Atlanta, Jets
Indianapolis (7-6)—Patriots, at Arizona, Raiders, at Jacksonville
Denver (7-6)—Bengals, at Las Vegas, at Chargers, Chiefs
Las Vegas (6-7)—at Cleveland, Denver, at Indianapolis, Chargers
Miami (6-7)—Jets, at New Orleans, at Tennessee, New England
With games against the Texans and Raiders, LA looks like a lock for at least two more wins. Buffalo gets three teams with losing records. The Colts end with the Raiders and who knows what Jacksonville will be in week 17. Rough road for the Colts, but Miami is charging with two losing teams up next.
The Steelers are still in it, but so is every team not playing in New Jersey, Jacksonville or Houston.