So here's how it's looking now...

[Steel G]

Win out and they are in for sure. There is no way three teams win out. The most realistic scenario and the one that concerns me the most is a one loss by all teams scenario. Anyone know that one for sure.

With the Jets, it depends on what game they lose. If they lose one to an AFC team and they and the Chiefs and Steelers all finish 10-6, then the Steelers and Chiefs get in. However, if the Jets win all their AFC games but drop that game against the Cowboys, then they and the Chiefs are getting in if all three are 10-6.

There's very little margin for error right now and that Ratbird loss is looming incredibly large.

 

[SteelerSask2]

The Chiefs loss even larger. Seemed like it wasn't too important at the time when they were 1-5.

 

[Steel G]

The Chiefs loss even larger. Seemed like it wasn't too important at the time when they were 1-5.

Yeah, and the Bungle one. They'll gladly take any one of those three loses back right now.

 

[TDX27]

U

You are incorrect. According to ESPN simulator if we win out the jets win out and Chifs win out we are the 6th seed. we would all finish 7-5 in the AFC and go to other tie breakers. you cannot use the tiebreakers as they currently stand.

I see that now and with another post talking about common opponents. The Jets still play the Cowgirls out of conference. So, if we all win out, we have the same conference record as them. I am just assuming, the simulator shows that we have a better record against common opponents and we get in. I can deal with that but we still have the toughest schedule remaining by far.

If we do lose 1 game, we have to hope they lose one of their 3 conference games to keep that scenario.

 

[slashsteel]

You're wrong. If we win out, we're in. We are out - if the playoffs started today - only because the Jets have played one more conference game than we have (they are 5-4, we are 4-4).

did yinz miss the part that I said if winning out would change the tiebreaker scenario? lol

 

[steelermania]

New England can help us by beating both Houston, and the Jets. Fortunately, because of losing the last 2 weeks, NE will be highly motivated going into the Jets game, as they attempt to avoid having to go on the road in the playoffs. Buffalo is playing NFC East teams the next three weeks. Houston is the only contender with 2 losses vs the NFC, so they are likely to hold the best AFC record. The others only have one loss, and really can't afford another, so conference record won't be a factor against them at 11-5, or 10-6. Need Houston to lose to NE, as the Texans schedule is really soft after that.

 

[jitter77]

Hopefully NE will be playing for something and not just pack it in. They are behind both Denver and Cinci. We can actually give them the number one seed if we beat the Bengals and Broncos.

 

[steelermania]

I see that now and with another post talking about common opponents. The Jets still play the Cowgirls out of conference. So, if we all win out, we have the same conference record as them. I am just assuming, the simulator shows that we have a better record against common opponents and we get in. I can deal with that but we still have the toughest schedule remaining by far.

If we do lose 1 game, we have to hope they lose one of their 3 conference games to keep that scenario.

Correct. The problem with losing a game, is that it possibly brings Houston, and Buffalo into the mix. Houston especially is dangerous, because they will win the tiebreaker on conference record. With their weak schedule after next week, it's pretty imperative that NE beat them next Sunday, to keep them out of the mix. Buffalo at 10-6 will have a sweep over the Jets, eliminating them, and it would fall to strength of victory as a tiebreaker. The Steelers currently have 34 wins vs 32 for Buffalo. The remaining schedule currently has 26 potential wins for us, vs 20 for Buffalo. Since Buffalo needs to win out, that would give them 52 wins, plus however many games the teams they beat can win over the last 4 weeks. Seeing as how the Steelers would need to lose a game in order to end up in a tie with Buffalo, which game they lost would play a huge role in their fate. It would actually be better to lose to Baltimore, or Cleveland, than to lose to Denver, or Cincy. as either of those would leave a double digit hole in our SOV. Would have a SOV of 50, and would need for our victims to win 2 more games than the Bills' victims over the last 4 weeks in order to move the tiebreaker on to SOS, which favors the Steelers.

 

[steelbush]

Correct. The problem with losing a game, is that it possibly brings Houston, and Buffalo into the mix. Houston especially is dangerous, because they will win the tiebreaker on conference record. With their weak schedule after next week, it's pretty imperative that NE beat them next Sunday, to keep them out of the mix. Buffalo at 10-6 will have a sweep over the Jets, eliminating them, and it would fall to strength of victory as a tiebreaker. The Steelers currently have 34 wins vs 32 for Buffalo. The remaining schedule currently has 26 potential wins for us, vs 20 for Buffalo. Since Buffalo needs to win out, that would give them 52 wins, plus however many games the teams they beat can win over the last 4 weeks. Seeing as how the Steelers would need to lose a game in order to end up in a tie with Buffalo, which game they lost would play a huge role in their fate. It would actually be better to lose to Baltimore, or Cleveland, than to lose to Denver, or Cincy. as either of those would leave a double digit hole in our SOV. Would have a SOV of 50, and would need for our victims to win 2 more games than the Bills' victims over the last 4 weeks in order to move the tiebreaker on to SOS, which favors the Steelers.

Uhhh....what he said.

 

[Steel G]

New England can help us by beating both Houston, and the Jets. Fortunately, because of losing the last 2 weeks, NE will be highly motivated going into the Jets game, as they attempt to avoid having to go on the road in the playoffs. Buffalo is playing NFC East teams the next three weeks. Houston is the only contender with 2 losses vs the NFC, so they are likely to hold the best AFC record. The others only have one loss, and really can't afford another, so conference record won't be a factor against them at 11-5, or 10-6. Need Houston to lose to NE, as the Texans schedule is really soft after that.

Houston can only knock the Steelers out if both teams finish at 9-7. And since the Steelers lose a ton of tie breakers to other teams at 9-7, they'd most likely be out anyway. If Houston gets to 10-6, they're in as a division champ and would not affect where the Steelers are at at 10-6 or worse as they would be a wild card. And that would mean the best the Colts could do would be 9-7 but would lose a tiebreaker to the Steelers. However, if the Bills are also 9-7, the Steelers lose that tiebreaker. This is why rooting for the Bills to defeat the Texans yesterday was a mistake. It would have been better to have the Texans in the driver seat in South, give the Steelers the tiebreaker over the Colts by beating them (which they did), and would have eliminated the Bills as a contender that would possibly screw the Steelers in tiebreakers. What we got instead did not help at all. Steelers need to get to at least 10 wins and hope the Jets or Chiefs stumble somewhere to give them help.

 

[Rod Farva]

Hate needing help......much better to control one's own destiny. But, we shall see I guess.

 

[steelermania]

Houston can only knock the Steelers out if both teams finish at 9-7. And since the Steelers lose a ton of tie breakers to other teams at 9-7, they'd most likely be out anyway. If Houston gets to 10-6, they're in as a division champ and would not affect where the Steelers are at at 10-6 or worse as they would be a wild card. And that would mean the best the Colts could do would be 9-7 but would lose a tiebreaker to the Steelers. However, if the Bills are also 9-7, the Steelers lose that tiebreaker. This is why rooting for the Bills to defeat the Texans yesterday was a mistake. It would have been better to have the Texans in the driver seat in South, give the Steelers the tiebreaker over the Colts by beating them (which they did), and would have eliminated the Bills as a contender that would possibly screw the Steelers in tiebreakers. What we got instead did not help at all. Steelers need to get to at least 10 wins and hope the Jets or Chiefs stumble somewhere to give them help.

In other words, the best thing for us will be for NE to beat the Jets, and for Buffalo to lose one more. This would lock us in, even at 10-6. It will take 11-5 to beat out KC, and even that is no sure thing.

 

[DBS1970]

The thing is when you start figuring out who has to lose and you have to win every game you have left what chance do you really have in the post season? At this point I am only watch the games to for entertainment. I have no confidence in this team once they start playing playoff caliber teams.

 

[steelermania]

The thing is when you start figuring out who has to lose and you have to win every game you have left what chance do you really have in the post season? At this point I am only watch the games to for entertainment. I have no confidence in this team once they start playing playoff caliber teams.

We've seen enough 6 seeds hoisting the Lombardi lately to know that if you get in, you have a chance. Especially teams with strong play at quarterback.

 

[Hines57]

The thing is when you start figuring out who has to lose and you have to win every game you have left what chance do you really have in the post season? At this point I am only watch the games to for entertainment. I have no confidence in this team once they start playing playoff caliber teams.

IF they make it, the next two weeks will be a great indicator of what we are capable of while there. They better get some kind of 05' Cowher speech to pump the team up. They need to run the table and no one will want to see this team come playoff time.

 

[Steel G]

In other words, the best thing for us will be for NE to beat the Jets, and for Buffalo to lose one more. This would lock us in, even at 10-6. It will take 11-5 to beat out KC, and even that is no sure thing.

That pretty much sums it up best. Bills and Jets losing one seems highly probable but Chiefs losing two will probably be asking too much.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

With the Jets, it depends on what game they lose. If they lose one to an AFC team and they and the Chiefs and Steelers all finish 10-6, then the Steelers and Chiefs get in. However, if the Jets win all their AFC games but drop that game against the Cowboys, then they and the Chiefs are getting in if all three are 10-6.

There's very little margin for error right now and that Ratbird loss is looming incredibly large.

They won't do it because of TV ratings but the league should change it so no team with a record below .500, or .500 and below, gets into the playoffs.

 

[insaniti]

That pretty much sums it up best. Bills and Jets losing one seems highly probable but Chiefs losing two will probably be asking too much.

I don't know why anyone is concerned about the Jets, everyone is saying they are back because they've won two in a row...those games were against the Dolphins and Giants, neither has a winning record. Also, the Bills and Jets will eliminate themselves with the final game of the year against each other. And while the Chiefs schedule looks easy on paper, they do play two more division opponents. And both of the opponents are capable of making each of those games interesting (Raiders and Chargers). The Chiefs, while they have won 6 in a row, they did lose 5 in a row...

All of these scenario's are pointless however if we win out. We still control our own fate.

 

[mdk2]

Just win out and the rest doesn't matter. Win THIS Sunday.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Just win out and the rest doesn't matter. Win THIS Sunday.

If memory serves, every time in recent years that we needed someone else to win or lose to get us into the playoffs, it didn't work out in our favor.

 

[mdk2]

If memory serves, every time in recent years that we needed someone else to win or lose to get us into the playoffs, it didn't work out in our favor.

I think you're right.. most recently, the Succup missed FG that would have sent us to the playoffs.

 

[chipped ham]

I think you're right.. most recently, the Succup missed FG that would have sent us to the playoffs.

Just being reminded back to that game raises my blood pressure to dangerously high levels. Everything that needed to happen, happened that day. Then the most improbable, the Chiefs resting their starters and trotting out back ups against San Diego who needed a win to get in, almost comes fruition. Until that jagoff misses the kick. If I'm not mistaken, it was shorter than what the extra points are this year.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Just being reminded back to that game raises my blood pressure to dangerously high levels. Everything that needed to happen, happened that day. Then the most improbable, the Chiefs resting their starters and trotting out back ups against San Diego who needed a win to get in, almost comes fruition. Until that jagoff misses the kick. If I'm not mistaken, it was shorter than what the extra points are this year.

It's unreasonable to expect your team to win every game but Tombert can be relied upon to do some boneheaded **** and lost one or two games every year that they absolutely should not lose.

 

[chipped ham]

It's unreasonable to expect your team to win every game but Tombert can be relied upon to do some boneheaded **** and lost one or two games every year that they absolutely should not lose.

That season, like too manh under shades, shouldn't have come down to that situation. However, it did and considering that everything that needed to happen actually happened, made it that much more gut wrenching.

 

[In Ben We Trust]

I think 10-6 will get us in but the bottom line is this....the Scobee debacle against the Ratbirds could easily be our demise. I still cannot believe the Steelers lost that game.