Steelers unlikely to make playoffs By Still Ash
Consider the upcoming schedule: Indy is a loss, Chicago probably a loss, assume we win the rest.
That's 11-5, though a loss to Cinci is entirely possible and the Vikings are always dangerous. Worst case scenario, call it 10-6, with a record of 4-4 in the last 8 games. A pathetic Steelers team meekly backing into the playoffs? Sad but accurate: The Steelers have not beaten an over .500 team since week 5, and have struggled against sub.500 teams for the last month. Unless there is a major turnaround, the Steelers will be lucky to win against ANY quality team in the last 6 weeks of the season.
Where does that leave us? Certainly not at the head of the AFC North. At this point, we must assume that Indy, Denver, New England and Cinci take their divisions. For the wildcard, we are left with Pittsburgh, KC, SD and Jacksonville fighting for two playoff spots.
The biggest advantage is schedule. SD has the longest and most difficult road ahead, and is likely not a factor:
Nov 27 @Washington 1:00pm
Dec 4 Oakland 8:30pm
Dec 11 Miami 4:15pm
Dec 18 @Indianapolis 1:00pm
Dec 24 @Kansas City 1:00pm
Dec 31 Denver 4:30pm
KC's road is equally craterous. Look for them to break down:
Nov 27 New England
Dec 4 Denver 4:15pm
Dec 11 @Dallas 4:15pm
Dec 17 @N.Y. Giants
Dec 24 San Diego
Jan 1 Cincinnati
Conceivably, both SD and KC could lose every game from here on out, except its likely that Cinci rests its starters for the playoffs, as does Denver.
Jacksonville has the easiest time of it and can finish 11-5:
Nov 27 @Arizona 4:05pm
Dec 4 @Cleveland 1:00pm
Dec 11 Indianapolis 1:00pm
Dec 18 San Francisco 1:00pm
Dec 24 @Houston 1:00pm
Jan 1 Tennessee 1 PM
The Steeler loss to Jacksonville now looms large, since it will likely determine home field for the wildcard, if and only if the Steelers finish 11-5 or better. 10-6 or worse, and we're not going anywhere.
The only good that MAY come of this is that Coward is finally fired!