by Ryan Mercier
Steelers Limping into the Postseason
A once proud 11-0 team has now lost three straight and looks awful doing it. Monday Night Football saw the now 3-10-1 Cincinnati Bengals dismantle the Steelers in the first half. Pittsburgh looked broken on offense while the Bengals got out to a 17-0 lead. Remarkably, a Cincinnati victory never really felt in doubt.
It feels like yesterday when Pittsburgh was surging toward the No. 1 seed in the AFC and snatching the coveted bye week. Now, the even an AFC North title is in serious question. Next week, the Steelers will take on a consistent Colts team while the Browns get to play the one-win New York Jets. If Pittsburgh loses and Cleveland wins, it sure sounds like the Week 17 Sunday Night Football matchup will be for the division crown on the Browns home field.
Scoring averages for both teams in the last four weeks:
Steelers – 17 points per game
Browns – 32.5 points per game
Possible Insane Finishes ahead in the AFC
Could the Colts miss the playoffs entirely if they lose to the Steelers? Yep! The Browns (after a win over the Jets) could either win the AFC North and be the No. 2 seed OR miss the playoffs all based entirely on their Week 17 Steelers game? You bet!
While there might not be much drama surrounding the top spot in the AFC, there are an almost endless list of scenarios left to with just two weeks remaining. In a strange, pandemic-ridden year the value of home field advantage can certainly be argued. However, the intrigue will come in terms of who gets in and who stays home. If there is no symbol next to your favorite team’s name indicating a clinched playoff berth, beware.
That goes for all of these teams: Titans, Browns, Colts, Dolphins, Ravens.
Final Notes
- Mitchell Trubisky. That’s the full sentence. Whoever you are, that will illicit strong feelings.
- Rams at Seahawks is the biggest game in the NFC next week.
- Whoever draws the Buccaneers in round one of the playoffs will be ecstatic or quickly sent home packing. Tampa Bay is a Jekyll and Hyde operation.
Struggling Actor Sports 