Pittsburgh will win the AFC North with a victory in Cleveland and a Baltimore loss or tie; OR a tie in Cleveland and a Baltimore loss. The Steelers can clinch home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs with a win and a Baltimore loss or tie, plus a New England loss.
Given the stakes, the big question floating around Pittsburgh is whether or not Coach Mike Tomlin should start the ailing Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback and risk aggravating his injuries. The Steeler Face thinks not. Charlie Batch was effective against the hapless St. Louis Rams last week, and he should be similarly effective against the Cleveland Brownie Elves. Moreover, the Steelers do not control their own destiny. A win in Cleveland means nothing unless Pittsburgh gets some help from the Cincinnati Bungles, and you can't count on the Bungles for anything except being the Bungles.
The good news for the Steelers is that the Bungles do have a lot to play for in their contest against the Baltimore Haters. Cincy (9-6) will clinch the last wild-card spot with a win or tie at home against Baltimore (11-4). Without a win, the Bungles will need a lot of help to make it to the postseason (namely, a Jets loss or tie AND an Oakland loss or tie; OR a Jets loss or tie AND a Denver loss or tie). While the Bungles will know the Jets' fate before kickoff in Cincy; Oakland and Denver will both be playing at the same time. What the Bungles won't know is if any of their fans will bother to show up at Paul Brown Stadium. Reports have come out of Cincy that the team is begging fans to come to the game, and are GIVING away tickets. That is PATHETIC! This is only Cincy's third winning season in the past 20 or so years, and possibly their first playoff appearance in six years--and fans have to be coaxed to come to the game? I'm sorry, when is this team moving to Los Angeles?
At any rate, the point is we can't count on the Bungles. Rest Big Ben and assure that he will have at least one more week to rest his injuries before a wild-card game. If the Steelers can't handle the Brownie Elves (even without Big Ben) then we shouldn't be worrying about playoff fortunes anyway. And, we might get lucky if the Bungles upset the Haters--and then Ben would have yet another week to rest. A healthy Big Ben is vital if Pittsburgh is to go far into the postseason.
Playing at home will also help the Steelers' chances of advancing in the playoffs. The Steeler Face likes Pittsburgh to make another Super Bowl run if they can get a first round bye and play at least their first postseason game at home. I am much less confident about the Steelers' fortunes if they have to play on the road. Yes, there has been a lot of talk about Pittsburgh's remarkable playoff run in 2005-06 when they won three games on the road to advance to Super Bowl XL. However, Big Ben was a lot younger and healthier then, and the Steelers have been a much better team at home this year (7-1) than on the road (4-3).
Here's what to watch for this Sunday. At noon central time the Buffalo Bills (6-9) will play at the New England Cheaters (12-3). A Cheaters loss at home might help the Steelers get the No. 1 seed in the AFC. The main 3:15 p.m. (central time) game is, of course, Pittsburgh (11-4) at the (4-11) Brownie Elves. However, Steeler fans will definitely be looking in on the concurrent Haters (11-4) at Bungles (9-6) contest. It's too bad the NFL didn't leave the Cincy/Baltimore game in the Noon time slot so that Steeler Nation could throw a little support Cincy's way (Bungles fans certainly won't).
The Steeler Face predicts a 20-7 Batch-led victory against the Brownie Elves. On the season, the Steeler Face is 9-5 in game forecasts with one perfect pick.
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