The good thing is, we have a 2 game lead over a few teams for the 6th playoff spot, so we have a bit of a cushion. The bad, if Ben is out for 6 weeks, that 2 game lead can disappear quickly. So, as long as the teams behind us keep losing, we should be fine.

In this week's games, the best outcome for the Steelers in these games should be:

Buffalo Over Miami (Dolphins have better record)

Kansas City over Cincinnati (Bengals better record)

Jacksonville over Houston (Jags aren't going to catch us, give one division leader a lose in case we win)

St. Louis over the Jets (Rams NFC team)

Dallas over Cleveland (Cowboys NFC team)

New Orleans over Oakland (Saints NFC team)

Denver over San Diego (San Diego one of the teams 2 games behind us, and plays us coming up, need them to lose)

New England over Indianapolis (Pats will win their division, Colts still have 2 games with Texans, maybe we can get to the 5th playoff spot)

Now, I am expecting good things from the Steelers this weekend. I expect Leftwich to throw some deep balls and keep the Ravens from loading the box. I think the running game will do well, and if the defense can keep Flacco in check, we have a very good opportunity to win. However, if we lose, I would sleep better knowing all the teams below us have lost too, thus keeping our 2 game lead for the final playoff spot.... and if we win, we would be leading the division and more importantly, we would have a 3 game lead for the final playoff spot with 6 to play. Good odds, and Ben won't have to rush back.