Time to shine
The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Cleveland Browns on Sunday for their tenth win of the season. Their record now stands at 10-3. They are two full games ahead of Baltimore for the AFC North Division lead and currently sit as the number 3 seed in the AFC. The Steelers keep winning and many keep saying, “now comes the hard part of their schedule.” I am done with that conversation. I am tired of everyone “waiting to see if the Steelers can survive the gauntlet.” The Steelers have played 13 games. They have played 4 current playoff teams and 4 teams considered “on the bubble.” They have played the teams they were scheduled to play. They have played divisional foes, AFC contenders, and NFC teams. They have lost 3 games by a combined 12 points. They have won on the road, at home, in low scoring affairs, in shootouts, and everything in between. I am tired of anyone making excuses and caveats about this team. We now sit on the cusp of the final four games. There are those who will do the math, play out the scenarios, and hope for help across the league; however, there are some (like me) who want the Steelers to simply “handle their business”:
Let’s start with those who are playing out a scenario where the Steelers obtain the number 1 seed in the AFC.
The Chiefs have games remaining against the Browns, Steelers, Texans, and Broncos. With how they are winning games this season, there is a realistic scenario where they lose two of those games including the Christmas Day game in Acrisure. This could be a scenario where they finish 14-3 or 13-4 and have lost the tie breaker to Pittsburgh.
The Buffalo Bills now have the same record as the Steelers and have games remaining against the Lions, Patriots (twice), and Jets. Division games are always interesting, but a loss to a really good team in the Lions is certainly a possibility. This could leave the Bills at 13-4.
If the Steelers win all four remaining games, it would put them at 14-3 and the 1 seed in the AFC.
I know this is a lot to ask, but not a pipe dream.
Now let’s look at the hand-wringers and worry warts.
What if the Steelers lose all 4 of their games? They would end the season with a record of 10-7. What if the Colts win out and the Broncos win all their games except the Colts game? The Steelers could miss the playoffs entirely!
Those who worry keep looking at the schedule and wishing there were “easy” games left to pick up a win and guarantee a post season birth.
Then there are those somewhere in between:
Maybe the Steelers go 2-2 and still win the division…
I am personally not doing any of these at the moment. I am instead looking at this stretch as a chance for the Steelers to finally prove to everyone they are a threat in the AFC and NFL. It is the time to shine. In late December football, the best teams separate themselves. They are built for post season success. They are a team on the rise. What better opportunity to not only do the above but prepare for the playoffs? A team cannot win the Superbowl by beating Division 2 teams. If you want to be the best, you have to play the best and beat them this time of year. What better way to prepare for a playoff run than to play the Eagles (11-2), the Ravens (8-5), the Chiefs (12-1)? I am excited for the test. I am excited to watch my team take on the best. I want to see where they stack up against the 2-time reigning champs, the 2 seed in the AFC, the playoff caliber Ravens in Baltimore. I am excited and looking forward to a strong finish for this team and possibly multiple home playoff games!
Let’s go Steelers.