Don't give up the dream, keep hope alive: The Steelers can still make the playoffs!

Even among all of the calls for wholesale changes and the season being over, there is still hope. Actually if the Steelers can get their act together this Sunday against Green Bay there is a shot they can still do it. The schedule for their competitors for the wild card play off spots are favorable for the Steelers to sneak in.

Of course once your in the playoffs anything can happen!

The Steelers remaining schedule

The Steelers record stands at 6-7. Their remaining games are:

1. Green Bay at home
2. Baltimore at home
3. @ Dolphins

If they win all three they finish 9-7

Jacksonville is in trouble

With the loss to the Colts, Jacksonville is now 7-7 having lost their last two games. Their remaining schedule is:

1. @ New England
2. @ Cleveland

They will be underdogs to New England who need to win to maintain their lead in the division. Assuming they beat Cleveland, they end the season 8-8 and out of the playoff picture.

Baltimore has to win 2 of 3

The Ravens are 7-6. Their remaining schedule is:

1. Chicago at home
2. @ Steelers
3. @ Oakland

If Baltimore wins against Chicago and Oakland, they would squeak in ahead of the Steelers with identical 9-7 records. But Baltimore would have a better division record having beaten Cleveland twice. But Chicago is no push over and if the Ravens stumble, coming into Pittsburgh will not be easy.

The Dolphins could do it but it will be tough

The Dolphins are 7-6. Sounds good, but they may have toughest road of the remaining teams. Their schedule is:

1. @ Tennessee
2. Houston at home
3. Steelers at home

The Dolphins will be hard pressed to win one of their 3 games and will probably finish 8-8, out of the playoffs.

The Jets have a tough road

The Jets are 7-6, but have three tough teams to play. They play:

1. Atlanta at home
2. @ Indy
3. Cincinnati at home

The Jets with Sanchez iffy are likely to win only one of their remaining games. That would put them at 8-8 and also out of the play offs.

The Broncos will take one of the wild card spots

The Broncos will probably win 2 of their remaining three games and make the playoffs as the first wild card.

Tennessee is coming on strong

After a terrible start the Titans are coming on strong. They are 6-7 and coming on strong. Their remaining schedule is:

1. Miami
2. San Diego
3. @ Seattle

The Titans if they continue to play as they have lately will finish 9-7. If the Steelers tie them, the Steelers should edge them out due to the Steelers beating them the first game of the season.

Can Houston sneak in?

The Houston Texans are a good team. They are 6-7 and could make a run. But the remaining schedule is not easy:

1.@ St Louis
2 @ Miami
3. New England

Chances are they lose 2 of the three and finish at 8-8. Out of the playoffs.

So can the Steelers slide in?

So probably the biggest hurdle for the Steelers besides having to run the table themselves is that Baltimore has to lose to Chicago this week. If they do, everything else could break just right and the Steelers could make it after all.

If they do, an injured safety who could make a difference may just be healthy enough to play!