Steelers playoff chances

[EzraTank]

If we lose to an AFC opponent while they lose to an NFC opponent, then the tiebreaker shifts to them on better conference record.

edit: and if we lose both games, we lose the tiebreaker no matter what.

No, if we both end up 9-7 or 8-8 we still have the same conference records of 7-5 or 6-6 but it would then shift to strength of Victory/Schedule (see my post #24 which goes into detail) which would favor the Titans. The only way we win a 9-7 tie is if the Texans beat them and Saints lose to them. And like I said if we end up 8-8 with multiple teams the Steelers lose out to most of those teams so winning next week is a very important step to eliminate the Browns, Raiders and hopefully the Colts if the lose tonight.

[Shoes]

Not going to happen. You have to score points to win and this offense can't score points. It was a good team run considering how the season started. I'd be delighted if they made it but you can't win if you can't score.

[JimHarbaugh'ssoakedtissue]

So beat the Jets and then the next week they will have 2 chances to get in.

[86WARD]

Not going to happen. You have to score points to win and this offense can't score points. It was a good team run considering how the season started. I'd be delighted if they made it but you can't win if you can't score.

Play calling sucks, execution sucks and nothing will change in the offseason as far as the first half of that statement.

Let’s not forget how bad special teams has been in the last few weeks either...

[teegre]

Unless the Colts run the table and also finish 9-7, we would then earn the #6 seed in that 3 way 9-7 tie.

As strange as it sounds, the Colts are the one AFC team that is trailing us for the #6 seed that we want to win out.

(Obviously, the Texans winning our helps us even more.)

[st33lersguy]

Best hopes rely on 2020 and Ben returning to form and not having all those game-killing INTs he had in 2018. Let's say theoretically they do make the playoffs after topping Darnold and RG3 (with Jackson resting) last night this defense's best effort couldn't save this team and that's playing against Josh Allen at QB who while not terrible, will be the 2nd worst starting QB in the AFC if Pittsburgh makes it. It will be much tougher to not give up at least 20 points going up against Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson in the wildcard round

[DesertSteel]

Best hopes rely on 2020 and Ben returning to form and not having all those game-killing INTs he had in 2018. Let's say theoretically they do make the playoffs after topping Darnold and RG3 (with Jackson resting) last night this defense's best effort couldn't save this team and that's playing against Josh Allen at QB who while not terrible, will be the 2nd worst starting QB in the AFC if Pittsburgh makes it. It will be much tougher to not give up at least 20 points going up against Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson in the wildcard round

Steelers just making the playoffs in 2019 would be a monumental achievement.

[86WARD]

Steelers just making the playoffs in 2019 would be a monumental achievement.

To be where they are at this stage has been monumental...lol. They were dead in the water at one point...

[teegre]

If the Steelers give the opponent 5 turnovers and 2 botched punts, it’ll be difficult to beat ANYBODY.

On the flip side, as Tomlin stated weeks ago (and the media took it as a clever joke, when Tomlin was being completely candid) as long as “the QB doesn’t kill them” the Steelers stand a chance against ANYBODY.

[EzraTank]

In years past I wanted to miss to get a better draft pick but now that Miami owns ours ... I'm all in on getting to the playoffs no matter what it takes. And once there hopefully KC or Houston have a terrible game and we lose in the 2nd round. Fuck Miami and our/their #1 pick!

[Rotorhead]

In years past I wanted to miss to get a better draft pick but now that Miami owns ours ... I'm all in on getting to the playoffs no matter what it takes. And once there hopefully KC or Houston have a terrible game and we lose in the 2nd round. Fuck Miami and our/their #1 pick!

Normally I would be upset, but MFF is better pick than we would have got in the next draft by a long way. We just got to use him this season!

[EzraTank]

Normally I would be upset, but MFF is better pick than we would have got in the next draft by a long way. We just got to use him this season!

Oh, I agree and love MFF but if we can make the playoffs then the trade gets even better for us.

[DesertSteel]

If the Steelers give the opponent 5 turnovers and 2 botched punts, it’ll be difficult to beat ANYBODY.

On the flip side, as Tomlin stated weeks ago (and the media took it as a clever joke, when Tomlin was being completely candid) as long as “the QB doesn’t kill them” the Steelers stand a chance against ANYBODY.

Duck just needs to get back to “don’t kill us” football.

[Dissolv]

Too many pass attempts against a strong pass defense in the first place. This may have been an experiment to see what Duck actually could do, but I didn't like it, if so. They need to be a power running team and learn how to punch it without being fancy. Even a steady string of 3's can work if they can avoid all those turnovers. 6th seed hopes are still somehow alive, and this week is our best chance, as I suspect that Baltimore will try to knock us out of the playoffs with a full roster. If nothing else, if they can do so, they will get rid of the defense that has performed the best against them, so I am thinking that a win this week is actually a must-win.

[86WARD]

Hard to run when 8-9 people in the box and they can’t stop a rush of 4 on a regular occasion...lol.

[Edman]

Duck just needs to get back to “don’t kill us” football.

But meanwhile let’s run some Wildcat, ignore the run game, and put him in tough spots and throw 38 times against one of the leagues’ best Pass Defenses that is more vulnerable to the run.

But as long as Duck doesn’t kill us, we should be good on offense.

[Fire Goodell]

Honestly I'd rather see some reverses or end arounds rather than wildcat plays. At least to these there's a surprise element to it that'll keep the defense on their heels

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

But meanwhile let’s run some Wildcat, .

What do you hate worse....Fichtner's Wildcat or Arians Bubble Screens?

Personally, I would rather see a bubble screen.

[DesertSteel]

How about a couple play action fakes for crying out loud?!

[tube517]

What do you hate worse....Fichtner's Wildcat or Arians Bubble Screens?

Personally, I would rather see a bubble screen.

What about Haley's double reverse w/the slowest guy on the team getting the last handoff - Jerrico Cotchery

[Mojouw]

What do you hate worse....Fichtner's Wildcat or Arians Bubble Screens?

Personally, I would rather see a bubble screen.

Based on the end of the game against Arizona, they can’t execute a bubble screen at this point.

[Steelerchad]

No, if we both end up 9-7 or 8-8 we still have the same conference records of 7-5 or 6-6 but it would then shift to strength of Victory/Schedule (see my post #24 which goes into detail) which would favor the Titans. The only way we win a 9-7 tie is if the Texans beat them and Saints lose to them. And like I said if we end up 8-8 with multiple teams the Steelers lose out to most of those teams so winning next week is a very important step to eliminate the Browns, Raiders and hopefully the Colts if the lose tonight.

There is a scenario that the Steelers get in at 8-8 and it is fairly possible that it could happen. We need a 3 way tie involving us, Titans, and Colts. If we lose both, it is possible the Titans could lose both tough games. Likely that the Raiders and Browns would do no better than a split. The Colts win both, but they'll probably be favored in both games.
Steelers lose at Jets and Ravens.
Titans lose to Saints and at Texans.
Colts beat the Panthers and Jags.
Raiders win only 1 of Chargers and Broncos.
Browns win only 1 of Ravens and Bengals.

[GoSlash27]

There is a scenario that the Steelers get in at 8-8...

Let's not even go there. Just beat the Jets and that'll be almost certainly enough to get us in.

[EzraTank]

There is a scenario that the Steelers get in at 8-8 and it is fairly possible that it could happen. We need a 3 way tie involving us, Titans, and Colts. If we lose both, it is possible the Titans could lose both tough games. Likely that the Raiders and Browns would do no better than a split. The Colts win both, but they'll probably be favored in both games.
Steelers lose at Jets and Ravens.
Titans lose to Saints and at Texans.
Colts beat the Panthers and Jags.
Raiders win only 1 of Chargers and Broncos.
Browns win only 1 of Ravens and Bengals.

If you look at CBS.com the Colts are eliminated. There is no way for us to get in at 8-8. The Titans win that tie breaker as I originally stated based on Strength of victory since head to head, conference and wins against common opponents would all be a wash.

We need Tampa to beat Houston so the Texans have something to play for on the final week against the Titans. If the Texans win this week they clinch their division and will have nothing to play for if KC beat the Bears since they will be locked in at #4.

Of course we need the Saints to beat the Titans this week or we're in BIG trouble.

[teegre]

A few thoughts/replies to many of the posts above:

1. May we get a screen? That Bills front-four was insane; we were always going to be physically outmatched. A way to slow them down (via scheme) would have been a few screens.

1-a. The Bills schemed Watt & Dupree out of several plays. Just prior to the snap, the Bills split their TE and RB out just wide enough that Watt & Dupree has to move outside about two yards... which gave Allen just enough time to complete passes. (Also, the TE & RB chipped our OLBs, which again, slowed our defenders down just a tick.)

2. Strangely enough, Yes, we need the Texans to lose on Saturday (to the Bucs); that way, the Texans are forced to play hard against the Titans.

Someone double-check that the Texans wouldn’t knock us out in that scenario. No outlet mentions that; I’ve only seen Steelers and Titans tie-breakers mentioned... but, that doesn’t mean that it wasn’t overlooked.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Based on the end of the game against Arizona, they can’t execute a bubble screen at this point.

...and they cant execute a handoff in the Wildcat either that doesn't end up in negative yardage. I think I would rather see a bubble screen into the flats than a formation where you line up a guy in the backfield that cannot pass the football. Kind of gives away that its a run play IMO.

[Mojouw]

...and they cant execute a handoff in the Wildcat either that doesn't end up in negative yardage. I think I would rather see a bubble screen into the flats than a formation where you line up a guy in the backfield that cannot pass the football. Kind of gives away that its a run play IMO.

Good point. Not a fan of the wildcat either. Just think this offense is in shambles at this point. When you are seeking ways to take the ball out of your QBs hand, it isn't a good sign.

[EzraTank]

Good point. Not a fan of the wildcat either. Just think this offense is in shambles at this point. When you are seeking ways to take the ball out of your QBs hand, it isn't a good sign.

I always thought the WC was just flat out stupid. Any good defense is going to know it's 90% of a run and stop it easily.

[JimHarbaugh'ssoakedtissue]

A few thoughts/replies to many of the posts above:

1. May we get a screen? That Bills front-four was insane; we were always going to be physically outmatched. A way to slow them down (via scheme) would have been a few screens.

1-a. The Bills schemed Watt & Dupree out of several plays. Just prior to the snap, the Bills split their TE and RB out just wide enough that Watt & Dupree has to move outside about two yards... which gave Allen just enough time to complete passes. (Also, the TE & RB chipped our OLBs, which again, slowed our defenders down just a tick.)

2. Strangely enough, Yes, we need the Texans to lose on Saturday (to the Bucs); that way, the Texans are forced to play hard against the Titans.

Someone double-check that the Texans wouldn’t knock us out in that scenario. No outlet mentions that; I’ve only seen Steelers and Titans tie-breakers mentioned... but, that doesn’t mean that it wasn’t overlooked.

Been saying that to my friends how a few screens would have calmed the Bills pass rush down. Apparently Fichtner does not know how to call a screen like all the other 31 OC.

[HollywoodSteel]

Been saying that to my friends how a few screens would have calmed the Bills pass rush down. Apparently Fichtner does not know how to call a screen like all the other 31 OC.

Funny how we used to throw too many screens (bubble screen anyone?) and now we don’t throw enough. It’s really weird because you’d think the screen pass would be a staple for a young inexperienced QB. Especially against a team that we know blitzes a lot.

We also haven’t been passing to the TE nearly as much as I would have expected so what do I know?