We have a realistic shot at the No. 6 seed, an outside shot at the No. 5 seed, and remain alive for the division title, so let's include the Chiefs and Bengals in our look-ahead.
NEXT WEEK Bengals vs. Chargers Chiefs vs. Broncos Titans vs. Colts Steelers vs. Ravens Jets vs. Dolphins
The following scenarios are assuming we take care of business against the Ravens on Thursday:
The game that is most relevant right now is Titans vs. Colts. A Colts win over the Titans puts us in the last wild card spot.
If the Broncos beat the Chiefs, we'd be 3 games out of the 5th seed. The Chiefs' schedule doesn't get a lot easier after the Broncos ... vs. Redskins, Raiders, Colts, Chargers. It's a long shot, but not unrealistic that the Chiefs could lose 4 out of their final 5.
If the Bengals lose to the Chargers, we'd be one game behind them. Their final four games are against the Colts, Steelers, Vikings, and Ravens. Here's the reality ... if the Bengals lose ONE more game (in addition to losing to the Steelers) and we win out, we'd be tied but win the division because of tie breakers.
The bottom line: We have to take care of our own business or nothing else matters. If we do take care of our own business, things are shaping up nicely for us.
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Subject: Re: As It Stands... Sat Nov 30, 2013 1:07 pm
As I've said before, I'm not giving up until we're mathematically eliminated. If I give up while there's still a chance (even if it's only a small chance), I might as well find something else to do on Sundays. So here's where we stand ...
While technically we could still win the division, that would take a hell of a lot of help, so let's focus on the wild card.
Sunday:
We need the Dolphins to beat the Jets. We need the Colts to beat the Titans. We need the Bengals to beat the Chargers.
If those three games go our way, we'd move up to the 8th seed behind the Dolphins, who we play next week.
Looking ahead, we need the Ravens to lose to the Bengals. If we win out and the Ravens lose to the Bengals, we'll be tied but get the tie breaker over the Ravens. If the Ravens beat the Bengals, they need to lose two more games. Other than Cincy, the Ravens finish with the Vikings, Lions, and Patriots*. It's possible, but what really hurts us is that the Patriots* and Bengals might not have anything to play for when they play the Ravens.
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Drizztbob
Posts : 1353 Join date : 2012-01-28 Location : Baltimore
Subject: Re: As It Stands... Sat Nov 30, 2013 2:37 pm
Ugh...it's painful. All would be right with the world if suisam kicked a field goal and we won by one instead of ghost kicking.
_________________ Win, Lose, or Tie, I'm a Steeler fan until I DIE!!!
Subject: Re: As It Stands... Sat Nov 30, 2013 3:00 pm
Drizztbob wrote:
Ugh...it's painful. All would be right with the world if suisam kicked a field goal and we won by one instead of ghost kicking.
Yeah, we really needed that win. Coming into the game, I felt we could absorb another loss and still be in good shape ... as long as the loss wasn't to the Ravens. I think all the other teams around us will lose multiple games, but I'm not so sure the Ravens will help us out by losing two more. And the Bengals could have the division wrapped up and sit players when they play the Ravens. But we'll see what happens ... that's why they play the games.
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Drizztbob
Posts : 1353 Join date : 2012-01-28 Location : Baltimore
Subject: Re: As It Stands... Mon Dec 02, 2013 8:40 am
3 for 3 Wally. Do that write up again this week.
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SteelersYak
Posts : 6476 Join date : 2011-04-04
Subject: Re: As It Stands... Mon Dec 02, 2013 9:20 am
Subject: Re: As It Stands... Mon Dec 02, 2013 10:52 am
Drizztbob wrote:
3 for 3 Wally. Do that write up again this week.
As I started looking at schedules a few weeks ago, I had no doubt we'd be getting a lot of help. The question has always been whether we could take care of our own business, which we didn't do on Thursday.
On a sidenote, I said if everything played out right, we'd finish the week in the 8th seed behind Miami. I forgot about the Titans having the tiebreaker over us, so we're now 9th, not 8th. Not a problem though, because the Titans are going to lose at LEAST one more game.
Looking ahead to next week ...
The only two games that affect us are:
Ravens vs. Vikings Titans vs. Broncos
Assuming we beat the Dolphins and the Broncos beat the Titans, we'll be in the 7th seed and one game out of the wild card behind the Ravens. I don't see the Vikings beating them.
It also wouldn't hurt if the Giants beat the Chargers. Tiebreakers get trickier when more than two teams are tied. It's too soon to start working out those scenarios though.
** I just looked into it, and if we end up tied with the Ravens (regardless of who beats them), we'll get the tiebreaker if we win out:
The first tiebreaker (head to head) wouldn't settle it. (They split)
The second tiebreaker (division record) wouldn't settle it unless the Ravens' one loss comes against the Bengals. If the Ravens lose to the Bengals, we get the tiebreaker right here.
The third tiebreaker (which would be the most likely scenario if we end up tied) is best won-lost-tied percentage in common games. Other than divisional opponents (in which we'd be tied), the common games (as of now) have been against the Bills and Jets. We won both games. The Ravens lost to the Bills, so we get the tiebreaker.
That's looking too far ahead, but it's good to know that if we win out and finish tied with the Ravens, we've got the tiebreaker. Assuming, of course, a third team doesn't finish tied with us and screw up the tiebreaking process.
Bottom line for next week ... we need:
Vikings to beat the Ravens. Broncos to beat the Titans. Giants to beat the Chargers.
If all 3 of those games go our way (unlikely), we'll be sitting in the final wild card spot.
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Drizztbob
Posts : 1353 Join date : 2012-01-28 Location : Baltimore
Subject: Re: As It Stands... Mon Dec 02, 2013 5:34 pm
And of course that most important scenario, we need to win against the Dolphins. But still some what ifs out there, and like originally said: A reason to watch Steeler football on Sunday.
_________________ Win, Lose, or Tie, I'm a Steeler fan until I DIE!!!
Subject: Re: As It Stands... Mon Dec 02, 2013 5:56 pm
Drizztbob wrote:
And of course that most important scenario, we need to win against the Dolphins. But still some what ifs out there, and like originally said: A reason to watch Steeler football on Sunday.
Yeah, nothing else matters if we don't win out. Technically, we've still got a long shot even if we lose one more game. But that would require so much help that it's not even worth thinking about.
What bothers me more than the loss to the Ravens is the loss of Velasco. I'm not sure our offense can overcome his loss. I guess we'll see.
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Subject: Re: As It Stands... Tue Dec 03, 2013 11:07 am
Quote :
John Eisenberg BaltimoreRavens.com Columnist
For the record, among the teams the Ravens are battling for that last wild-card spot, the Steelers are the most dangerous.
The Titans have lost six of their past eight games and have Ryan Fitzpatrick playing quarterback. The Chargers have lost four of their past five and always seem to blink at the wrong time. The Jets don’t have enough offense.
The Dolphins are made of sterner stuff. It is quite a feat for them to have stayed in contention with all the controversy swirling around them. But they’re playing in Pittsburgh this weekend, and I expect the Steelers to make a statement. The Steelers are playing good football, having won five of their last eight. They have the best quarterback among the other contenders. Their schedule is relatively easy. Even though they’re a game behind the Ravens, they could easily win out to finish 9-7.
If I’m the Ravens, I’m keeping my eyes on them as this plays out.
Subject: Re: As It Stands... Mon Dec 16, 2013 4:04 am
Wallace108 wrote:
With Miami's win today, we are officially mathematically eliminated.
But you know me ... I'll still try to find a way to overcome that.
OK, I've found a way to overcome it. I was wrong ... we're not mathematically eliminated yet.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know ... making the playoffs would require a miracle of Biblical proportions. But I said I wouldn't give up until we were mathematically eliminated. Since we're not mathematically eliminated, the show must go on.
In order for the Steelers to make the playoffs, five scenarios must happen:
1. The Steelers must win their final two games against the Packers and Browns. 2. The Dolphins must lose their final two games against the Bills and Jets. 3. The Chargers must lose one of their final two games against the Raiders and Chiefs. 4. The Ravens must lose two of their final three games against the Lions, Patriots*, and Bengals. 5. The Jets must win their final two games against the Browns and Dolphins.
Obviously, having all five of those scenarios play out in our favor is nearly impossible. But as I like to say, stranger things have happened. I said I'd keep hope alive until there was no hope left. So onward we go ...
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If you're going to be a smart ass, you'd better be smart. Otherwise, you're just an ass.
Subject: Re: As It Stands... Sun Dec 22, 2013 3:38 pm
Don't look now, but everything is going our way.
1. The Steelers must win their final two games against the Packers and Browns. 2. The Dolphins must lose their final two games against the Bills and Jets. (Dolphins losing to the Bills 13-0 in the 4th) 3. The Chargers must lose one of their final two games against the Raiders and Chiefs. 4. The Ravens must lose two of their final three games against the Lions, Patriots**, and Bengals. 5. The Jets must win their final two games against the Browns and Dolphins. (Jets beating the Browns 13-7 in the 4th)
_________________
If you're going to be a smart ass, you'd better be smart. Otherwise, you're just an ass.
Subject: Re: As It Stands... Sun Dec 22, 2013 7:58 pm
Well, we didn't get bonus help from the Raiders today, but everything we needed to happen actually happened. Here's what we need to happen next week for the Steelers to make it to the playoffs:
Steelers over Browns Jets over Dolphins Bengals over Ravens Chiefs over Chargers
Is all that likely? Probably not. Is it possible? Sure. But the fact that I'm still posting in this thread heading into the final week of the season feels pretty good. As a fan, I ask for something to root for. Regardless of what happened throughout the year, heading into the final week of the season I have something to root for.
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If you're going to be a smart ass, you'd better be smart. Otherwise, you're just an ass.
