Posted on December 15, 2010 by ted

The Steelers’ comeback victory at Baltimore two weeks ago put them in a commanding position to win the AFC North and claim the more important No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs, thus securing a first-round bye.

Most probable scenarios point to this transpiring. However, one real possibility could result in a tiebreaker scenario so close that it would show just how equal Pittsburgh and Baltimore are as worthy rivals.

Ideally, host Pittsburgh (10-3) will beat the struggling New York Jets (9-4), and defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans (10-3) will venture into Baltimore (9-4) and beat what should be a tired Ravens team following its overtime win at Houston on Monday night.

The Steelers would then just need to beat 1-11 Carolina in Pittsburgh to secure the division title and a playoff bye. A banged-up Steelers squad could then have most of its key players not dress or play minimally in a week 17 finale at Cleveland.

This would be a perfect scenario for veteran players like Hines Ward, Brett Keisel, Ben Roethlisberger, Troy Polamalu and Flozell Adams, all of whom would benefit greatly from two weeks of rest before a home playoff game................

Read more @ http://www.steelerslounge.com/2010/1...eat/#more-3322