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Best case playoff scenarios for Steelers

FSF

FSF

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To be clear, I believe the Steelers will win the AFC under two conditions: Brown returns and no further injuries.

That includes having to play in New England for an AFC Championship; the Steelers are a better team. While the Steelers won't have to go through 2 playoff games to reach the AFC Championship, I will look at whether or not the Patriots could effectively get another "bye week" in Divisional round as they did last year vs. a Texans team without either J.J. Watt or a QB.

Home Field is the most important factor and, albeit unlikely, the Steelers have a chance at winning it next week. But for the moment, lets assume the AFC Playoff seeding does not change:
  1. New England Patriots
  2. Pittsburgh Steelers
  3. Jacksonville Jaguars
  4. Kansas City Chiefs


Without the benefit of home field, match-ups are the key. Looking at the potential opponents -- who would the do we want to play the Patriots so that they have to play their best to win and who could play them the most physical, so maybe they get a taste of having someone taken out of their line-up for a change?

The Wild Card picture:
  • Baltimore Ravens
  • Tennessee Titans
  • Los Angeles Chargers
  • Buffalo Bills

Any combination of the 4 teams can get in almost in any order of seeding (the Chargers can only qualify for the 6th seed).

Since the #3 seed cannot play the #1 seed in the Divisional Round -- here is the best to worst case scenarios for Pittsburgh as the #2 seed.

  1. Patriots vs. Chiefs - The Chiefs already beat the Patriots in Foxboro and are a tough match-up for them period. Prior to a mid season slide, losing 5 of 6 (with 3 losses in last minute or OT), they were considered a legit 3rd threat in the AFC and in the last 3 weeks have had a resurgence. They have playoff experience and would be a physical match-up for the Patriots who play a lot of soft teams. Big advantage is Kansas City can rest anyone they want this week.
  2. Patriots vs. Ravens -- The Ravens control their own destiny with a win and they are #5 seed. They are also playing good football over last 10 games: 8-2, 24 points a game with 2 shut outs. While they aren't the same team that manhandled the Patriots physically in AFC Championships in 2011 & 2012, they still bring a QB that can make plays and play a physical game that the Patriots have always struggled against -- if there is any team that could leave Brady feeling sore afterwards it is Baltimore.
  3. Patriots vs. Chargers -- The Chargers need help getting in and can only be the 6th seed. They also don't bring a physical game as much as they bring the only other franchise QB in the AFC right now with Phillip Rivers. They lost in Foxboro earlier this year, shooting themselves in the foot numerous times. But they have the one offense out of all the teams that could go into Foxboro and win a shoot-out.
  4. Patriots vs. Titans: This one has a high probability of happening and thus Tennessee is the team I want to make the playoffs the least. They are soft, on a losing streak and unable to show up in big games. However they play a Jacksonville team that may not play everyone. If they got in, I would hope they don't advance as they would be fodder for the Patriots.
  5. Patriots vs. Bills -- Unlikely in that Buffalo needs too much of a combination to happen and even if they did get in, would be knocked out in Wild Card round -- but even if they did advance, the Patriots have already handled them twice, particularly in the 2nd half of their games.

In 2008 the Ravens took out the #1 seeded Titans and in 2010 the Jets took out the #1 seeded Patriots. It is not out of the realm of possibility that the Patriots face a harder game in their Divisional Round than we do and we still end up hosting the AFC Championship.

The scoreboard should be interesting Sunday evening.
 
Just figure on the Steelers having to beat both the Jags with no AB, and the Pats. Simple really
 
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Spike said:
Just figure on the Steelers having to beat both the Jags with no AB, and the Pats. Simple really
Click to expand...

Most likely, but at minimum I want the Patriots to come out that game at least having been hit and without some hits on Marcia.

And if they are dropped, all the better. Anything can happen.
 
Looks like Jax has the #3 seed locked down. They have nothing to play for next week. A win Sunday would knock Tennessee out of the playoffs though. A win for TN would also give them a rematch for the Wild Card week v Jax
Rats are damn near a lock to go to KC. KC has struggled but has found its groove again after losing 4 in a row. Rats v KC, I would probably say Rats go in there and win but who knows how that goes.

KC isn't the same team that beat the Pats to start the season. They have a good formula when they take care of the ball. That would be interesting.
The Rats are battle tested and have been to Foxboro before.

We will likely see Jax unless they **** the bed v TN or the Chargers if they get in. My main concern with Jax is our ability to stop the run for our defense and on offense to get the ball out of Ben's hands quickly so he doesn't get hit.
 
Best case scenario: Just win.

The weapons are still there to score. Even with no AB.
Juju and Martavis are capable.

Bell is capable.
McDonald needs to stay healthy. The guy can be a legitimate threat.


The defense looks good so far
 
Yeah we know Spike. You are on the doom and gloom tour. We get it. I dont see the Titans advancing. I would envision a Ravens or KC versus the Pats. Two formidible foes for them and the Steelers with a tough Jags game.
 
https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/12/26/nfl-playoff-clinching-scenarios-week-17

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens have the inside track toward locking up the first Wild Card spot, but there is still a scenario in which they miss the playoffs altogether.

The Ravens clinch the fifth seed with:

• A win

• A tie and a Chargers tie or loss

• A tie and a Bills tie or loss

• A tie and a Titans tie or loss

• A Chargers loss

• A Bills loss

• A Titans loss

The Ravens clinch a playoff spot with:

• A Chargers loss

• A Bills loss

• A Titans loss

The Ravens miss the playoffs with:

• A loss and A Bills win and a Titans win


Tennessee Titans

The Titans are in a similar position to the Ravens in that a win puts them in the playoffs.


The Titans can clinch a playoff berth with:

• A win

• A tie and a Chargers loss or tie

• A tie and a Bills loss or tie

• A Chargers loss and a Bills loss

The Titans can clinch the fifth seed with:

• A win and a Ravens loss

The Titans miss the playoffs altogether with:

• A loss or tie and a Chargers win and a Bills win


Buffalo Bills

The Bills need to win and get some help, probably in the form of a Panthers win over the Falcons.

The Bills can clinch a playoff berth with:

• A win and a Titans loss or tie and a Chargers loss or tie

• A win and a Ravens loss and a Chargers loss or tie


• A tie and a Titans loss


Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers can sneak into the playoffs but cannot finish higher than the sixth seed.

The Chargers can clinch a playoff spot with:

• A win and a Titans loss or tie
Click to expand...

Week 17 schedule:
Bengals at Ravens
Jaguars at Titans
Raiders at Chargers
Bills at Dolphins

It's hard to envision the Ravens losing at home to the Bengals. They probably walk away with an easy win and the fifth seed. Even if they lose, there are so many other scenarios for them to make the playoffs that it's likely to happen.

The Titans have an interesting game. Jacksonville has nothing to play for, but they lost last week and may want to keep some continuity going into next week. If they bench some starters, you'd think the Titans should win. However, does Jacksonville want to hand a division rival a playoff spot with a win?

Oakland isn't very good and the Chargers just need a win and a Titans loss, both very possible. They were a hot team, have a ton of weapons on offense, but what Rivers shows up in the playoffs if they make it?

Buffalo needs a Week 17 miracle and don't exactly have an easy game against Miami. Not very likely that they make it and if they do, they'd have to lean on McCoy to have a shot to advance.

Looking at these games, I can't even guess who's gonna make it. Each team should be able to win their finale, but I could easily see all blowing it. It'll be a fun slate of late games on Sunday.
 
SteelerSask said:
Yeah we know Spike. You are on the doom and gloom tour.
Click to expand...

38229afe5535116d0c877f5c3e07598b--steelers-stuff-steelers-football.jpg
 
We got a bye that was big, time to play football no matter who you play. We have started games aggressive and then back to two runs and a pass, this coaching staff needs to be on same page and play to win , not play to lose.
 
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If the Steelers play like they can who cares where we are, or who we play? Sit all the key pieces Sunday and let's get ready for the playoff's. You can't afford to have anybody getting twinged up in a meaningless game.
 
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Doesn't matter much if and when the Jets lose to the Pats***** this weekend. We cannot win in Foxboro. Neither does anyone else 99% of the time but the Pats***** are the Steelers' kryptonite.
 
thesteelcity said:
We shouldn't be scared to play any team. Jax? Bring them to Heinz Field in January! The sun already shined on their ***** once, I don't foresee a second time.
Click to expand...

I’ve seen that game before.. The defense was gashed by a running Girard all game long. This defense is even worse against the run.


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Ron Burgundy said:
Doesn't matter much if and when the Jets lose to the Pats***** this weekend. We cannot win in Foxboro. Neither does anyone else 99% of the time but the Pats***** are the Steelers' kryptonite.
Click to expand...

We have the talent to beat the Pats,
Coaching has been and will be the difference,
They have the best coach in the history of the game, we have a cheerleader who could sell used cars to the media, but cannot call two plays in advance during a commercial break.
 
bigben said:
We have the talent to beat the Pats,
Coaching has been and will be the difference,
They have the best coach in the history of the game, we have a cheerleader who could sell used cars to the media, but cannot call two plays in advance during a commercial break.
Click to expand...

Yawn. Never had a losing season.....hater.

The coaching difference is that one is a cheater and one isn't.
 
bigben said:
We have the talent to beat the Pats,
Coaching has been and will be the difference,
They have the best coach in the history of the game, we have a cheerleader who could sell used cars to the media, but cannot call two plays in advance during a commercial break.
Click to expand...

Belicheat is not the best coach just the best cheater. **** that fat man and his hoodies. We will just run to the outside on them When James is on. He can't contain anymore that is why he did not play.
 
mdk2 said:
I’ve seen that game before.. The defense was gashed by a running Girard all game long. This defense is even worse against the run.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Ten. years.ago. Should they be afraid of SD since they lost to them in 1994? They proved last week that they have the tools to beat NE. The Jags will get smacked in Pittsburgh in January.
 
thesteelcity said:
Ten. years.ago. Should they be afraid of SD since they lost to them in 1994? They proved last week that they have the tools to beat NE. The Jags will get smacked in Pittsburgh in January.
Click to expand...

I’m just giving you an example of weather or cold doesn’t matter. They beat our ***** in snow.


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Flame me all you want....as long as Brady is on that team the Steelers will never go in to Gillette Stadium in January and beat the Cheats. It's become mental now for the Steelers and the Cheats will never have important calls go against them. I see a 14 point plus win for the Pats if the teams do meet up for the AFC championship. Our only hope is KC or Baltimore taking them out.
 
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