"It used to be Pittsburgh's time, now it's Cincinnati's time, and it'll probably be that way for a while. They're like black and white TV, we're like color TV." -Chad Johnson, Dec. 4, 2005

Well, it only took three years, 11 months and 20 days, but Chad Johnson’s prediction that the Bengals would be the new emperors of the AFC North finally came true.  With a gritty victory at Heinz Field last Sunday, the artists formerly known as the Bungles improved their record to 7-2 overall and a shocking 5-0 in the division, while the artist formerly known as Chad Johnson failed to make any bold predictions that may or may not come true in 2013.

It could be because of the emergence of Cedric Benson.  It could be because Carson Palmer is healthy.  Maybe it was the soul-baring experience of HBO’s Hard Knocks.  Whatever is going on, the Cincinnati Bengals are unquestionably in the driver’s seat for the division title.  A collapse over the final seven weeks wouldn’t be totally shocking—for they are still the Bengals, after all—but at this point, it’s not going to happen.  Well, it’s unlikely anyway.

So that means, much like they did in 2005, Pittsburgh will have to claw their way into the playoffs and take their act on the road as a Wild Card.  If they get that far.

As usual, the playoff picture in the AFC will be more crowded than the Southside of Pittsburgh on a Saturday night.  Teams wishing to participate after Week 17 will need 10 wins at the very least, and because there are so many terrible teams this year, 10 wins may not even be good enough.  The 10-6 Chiefs sat home in 2005.  Last year the 11-5 Patriots didn’t get in.

Although it’s way too early to be talking about a Wild Card battle, we must, what with Cincy having already clinched the division.  (Oh, they haven’t clinched?  They’re not even close to clinching yet?  They could still find a new, even more heartbreaking way to disappoint their fans?  Well, that makes more sense.)

Anyway, Pittsburgh and Baltimore must be in the Wild Card discussion.  The Texans are in good position but have never made the playoffs.  The Jaguars are playing very well lately, but I don’t know if any team that lost 41-0 to the Seahawks should be taken seriously as a playoff team.  Not yet, anyway.

There’s also the whole Denver-San Diego thing, which I’m already bored with.  By default, one of them must win the division.  But I can’t see either one finishing strong enough to make it as a Wild Card.

Anyway, back to the Steelers.  There are really three major things they must do to right the ship and continue on the path to the playoffs.

1.  Fix the Kickoff Team

The first casualty of the ongoing Kickoff Team Crisis of 2009 was backup linebacker Arnold Harrison.  But he joins a long list of special teamers dismissed by Mike Tomlin.

Chukky Okobi, Chidi Iwuoma, Sean Morey, and Anthony Madison are among the special-teams stalwarts that didn’t make the cut under coach Tomlin, and though all those decisions were made years ago, they don’t look wise.  The coverage units now seem to be lacking a certain something—tackling ability comes to mind—because Tomlin can no longer afford to put guys like Lawrence Timmons and Keyaron Fox out there.

For all those who want to put the blame on Jeff Reed, please remember he’s not paid to tackle.  Good thing too, because he’d be broke.  And while Stefan Logan has been generally fine as a return man, I don’t know if he should be counted on to make tackles.

2.  Get More Carries for Lord Mendenhall

Until Sunday, Pittsburgh had not lost a game in which Rashard Mendenhall started at tailback.  With Wille Parker looking either washed up or not healthy, and Mewelde Moore continuing to excel in his role as the third-down back, Mendenhall simply must get more carries.

I know this whole “run the ball more” mantra has been rehashed to death this week, but I really don’t know why Mendenhall isn’t getting more touches.  Pittsburgh had four trips to the red zone, during which No. 34 only got three total carries.

Against San Diego in his first start, he was fed like a king, carrying the rock 29 times for 165 yards.  Since then, he’s gotten 15, 17, 10, 22, and 13 carries.  Before the Cincinnati game, his lowest output as starter was 36 yards, and he was averaging nearly six yards per carry, second in the NFL behind Chris Johnson.

I understand the thinking could be that the team does not want Mendenhall to get overworked.  But it’s clear he’s getting underworked.  The guy is 22 years old, missed most of last season, and watched much of the first two games as a spectator.  There is no way he should have tired legs at any point from here on out.  If he does, I’ll give everyone a free Duce Staley jersey.

3.  Win the Games They Are Supposed To Win

This one goes without saying, but take note that Pittsburgh should be favored in every one of their remaining games except the first meeting with the Ravens in Baltimore.  To go a step further, the Steelers have three games (Kansas City, Oakland, and Cleveland) that are surefire wins.  Layups.  Gimmes.  Games that will be major, major upsets if the Steelers do not win.

But the Steelers still must play these games, and win, and any given Sunday and all that.  The rest of the schedule is not easy.  Green Bay looks to be a formidable opponent and a tough matchup.  The Dolphins currently might be one of the best 4-5 teams in recent memory.  That final game in Miami might very well be for a playoff spot.  The two showdowns with Baltimore are pretty much toss-ups.

But there’s also one further thing the Steelers can do, which wouldn’t be the craziest thing to ever happen: 

4.  Watch With a Sardonic Eye as the Bengals Morph Back into the Bungles and Blow the Division

Following Sunday’s victory—arguably the biggest win for Cincinnati since that December win at Heinz Field so many moons ago—the Bengals and their fans have each made major mistakes that could cost them dearly.

First, the team signed disgruntled running back Larry Johnson, who had just been released from the Chiefs.  Johnson is a selfish player who won’t be happy sitting on the bench, picking up the blitz, or doing the little things that matter.  The Bengals seem like a pretty tight team, even with Chad Ocho-Circus.  My guess is this Larry Johnson thing will go over about as well as when the Grizzlies signed Allen Iverson.

Second, video has just surfaced of some fine Cincinnati aristocrats burning a Terrible Towel.  Keith Bullock and LenDale White have already released a statement, denying any involvement in the Towel-burning episode.

But as far as the Bengals fans go, they are awfully brash considering their team a) has made the playoffs once since 1990, b) has been swept by the Steelers five times in the past decade, c) is two plays away from being 5-4, d) has only a tenuous game-and-a half lead in the divison…really, I could probably go all the way to z), but I’ll spare you all that.

I’ll just say this: should the stars align for a third Bengals-Steelers game in the first round of the playoffs, the smart money is on Pittsburgh.  And I’ll be watching on my black and white TV.