Let’s face it. In some important ways the Baltimore Ravens lost yesterday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers more than the Steelers won it. Don’t get me wrong the Steelers defense finally made a few plays in the fourth quarter which was nice.
But again the Steelers settled for field goals on key possessions and looked outmatched in the second half. Minus a number of critical penalties and a dropped touchdown the Steelers likely lose that game.
But I will take it. The Steelers remain in the playoff hunt.
It comes down to beating Miami and then hoping the Bengals and Patriots win even with nothing on the line. Here is a scenario where the Steelers make it (you can change it to see how various scenarios play out).
Things are more precarious thanks to the, in my opinion, stupid way the Colts pissed away the chance for a perfect season by giving the lackluster Jets new life by sitting Peyton Manning and other key starters.
But if Cincinnati beats the J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets! And the Patriots beat the Texans then the Steelers are in (provided they win as well). Normally you would say the odds are good but the Texans and Jets are playing for a playoff spot and their opponents are playing for nothing. That makes me very nervous. But the Steelers put themselves in this position so that’s life.
In some ways it doesn’t matter. If the Steelers win their last three games and finish 9-7 but miss the playoffs it will be disappointing for sure. But with two Super Bowls in four years it is hard to get irate about 9-7.
On the other hand, it would be interesting to see the Steelers in the playoffs with a healthy Troy Palamalu. They are an experienced group and are very familiar with all the teams they might face. Be nice to have a chance to get hot and make another Super Bowl run.
In reality, the way the defense is playing I can’t see the Steelers getting to the Super Bowl against teams like New England, Indy and San Diego (picture Randy Moss and Wes Welker wrecking havoc in the secondary in the Wild Card game for example).
But we live to fight another day at this point. And as I said above, I will take it.
Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Houston Texans, New York Jets, NFL playoffs, Pittsburgh Steelers
