Before the 2016 season began, fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers were, like always, talking about this season being a “Super Bowl or Bust” year. Those expectations rarely change for fans of the Black and Gold, but there was one predominant feeling from fans heading into the season.
Maybe this is the year the Steelers get a first round bye in the playoffs, and the road to Super Bowl 51 goes through Heinz Field.
Needless to say, when the Steelers hit their 4-game losing streak around the midway point of the season, people pumped the brakes really quick on those expectations. The first-round bye turned into “can we even make the postseason” talk.
Nonetheless, the Steelers have clawed their way back to relevance, and are currently sitting atop the AFC North, residing at the No. 3 seed in the current AFC Playoff Picture. The road for them to get into the playoffs is simple: Win out and you win the division and the No. 3 seed.
What about the No. 2 seed? Could the Steelers find a way to move ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs or the Oakland Raiders, both 10-3, to get that coveted first-round bye? They certainly can, but they will need some help.
Before we get to the scenario, it’s time to take a look at the most recent AFC Playoff Picture.
AFC Playoff Picture (Week 15)
1. New England Patriots - 11-2 - Remaining Games: at Broncos (8-5), vs. Jets (4-9), at Dolphins (8-5)
2. Kansas City Chiefs - 10-3 - Remaining Games: vs. Titans (7-6), vs. Broncos (8-5), at Chargers (5-8)
3. Pittsburgh Steelers - 8-5 - Remaining Games: at Bengals (5-7-1), vs. Ravens (7-5), vs. Browns (0-13)
6. Denver Broncos - 8-5 - Remaining Games: vs. Patriots (11-2), at Chiefs (10-3), vs. Raiders (10-3)
4. Houston Texans - 7-6 - Remaining Games: vs. Jaguars (2-11), vs. Bengals (5-7-1), at Titans (7-6)
5. Oakland Raiders - 10-3 - Remaining Games: at Chargers (5-8), vs. Colts (6-7), at Broncos (8-5)
In the hunt:
7. Miami Dolphins - 8-5 - Remaining Games: at Jets (4-9), at Bills (6-7), vs. Patriots (11-2)
8. Baltimore Ravens - 7-6 - Remaining Games: vs. Eagles (5-8), at Steelers (8-5), at Bengals (5-7-1)
9. Tennessee Titans - 7-6 - Remaining Games: at Chiefs (10-3), at Jaguars (2-11), vs. Texans (7-6)
10. Indianapolis Colts - 6-7 - Remaining Games: at Vikings (7-6), at Raiders (10-3), vs. Jaguars (2-11)
Now, on to the scenario...
For the Steelers to claim the No. 2 seed, they need both the Raiders and Chiefs to go 1-2 down the stretch, and the Steelers need to win out. Seems simple, but let’s take a look at their remaining schedules and see if it’s possible.
Kansas City Chiefs: vs. Titans (7-6), vs. Broncos (8-5), at Chargers (5-8)
The Tennessee Titans are no joke but, with this game at Arrowhead, you have to think the Chiefs will be heavy favorites. The same can be said about the Broncos game, but the Week 16 and Week 17 divisional games could be huge. The Chargers have been disappointing but, like many teams, they can shock a divisional foe.
Oakland Raiders: at Chargers (5-8), vs. Colts (6-7), at Broncos (8-5)
Again, another “not so easy” stretch to finish the regular season. San Diego and Philip Rivers can stun a lot of teams. The Colts, like the Titans, will be playing for their postseason lives and the Broncos could also be playing for a postseason berth.
The common thread among these games is there aren’t many where the team they are facing has absolutely nothing to play for. Whether it’s the Titans, the Colts or the Broncos, these teams won’t be folding like a cheap lawn chair any time soon.
Is it possible the pieces all come together and Pittsburgh sneaks their way into the No. 2 seed? Sure, at this point anything is possible, but is it likely? Probably not. Both teams, Oakland and Kansas City, are very good, and the chances of them slipping up twice seem very slim. It should also be noted the Steelers can’t afford to lose a game if they want that No. 2 seed.
Only time will tell how things will shake out but, as of right now, things should be very interesting down the final stretch of the NFL regular season.