NFL Playoff Scenarios: 7 Ways the Pittsburgh Steelers Can Win the AFC North
Now that the Pittsburgh Steelers have clinched a playoff spot, albeit with a loss, they can focus on winning the AFC North.
Achieving this would have been much easier if they would have won on Sunday but that did not happen. With Baltimore defeating a tough opponent in New Orleans, the pressure is on for the Steelers to lock up the AFC North.
Not only would a division title mean a home playoff game but it would also mean a first-round bye—something that the Steelers desperately need to get key players like Troy Polamalu, Aaron Smith and Ben Roethlisberger healthy.
With only two weeks to go in the season, Pittsburgh’s mission to win the AFC North will begin Thursday night at home against the Carolina Panthers.
Hope Baltimore Slips Up
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The only reason that the Steelers have the AFC North lead today is because they have a better division record (4-1) than the Ravens (2-2). Baltimore has a loss to the Steelers as well as the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Ravens know that they cannot afford to lose another game as they finish out their season at Cleveland and then at home against Cincinnati.
Cleveland, just as it does for Pittsburgh, gets up for games against Baltimore. The Browns will look to knock the Ravens down in the standings.
Cincinnati has been playing their opponents close over the past 10 weeks and finally came up with a win against Cleveland. Carson Palmer will try to finish the season strong and he has two talented targets to throw to.
Though it is unlikely that the Ravens will lose out, division games are always a challenge.
Take Care Of Business, Part 1: Defeat the Carolina Panthers
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It is unlikely that Baltimore will lose either of their two remaining games so it is imperative that the Steelers take care of their own business.
Next up for the Steelers are the Carolina Panthers.
The two-win Panthers will come to a cold Heinz Field—where the Steelers have lost three games this season—in draft mode, not playoff mode.
A win this past week made them one game closer to possibly losing the No. 1 pick.
On the other hand, teams on the outside looking in always like to ruin seasons, and the Panthers have a chance to send the Steelers from the second seed to the sixth seed.
Pittsburgh will have to take care of business against a team that they will be heavily favored over. They cannot afford to look past this opponent.
More importantly, the Steelers will have to learn to win without Troy Polamalu in their lineup, as well as Aaron Smith.
Last season Pittsburgh fell on hard times, losing five straight to some of the worst teams in the NFL without two of their best defenders.
They cannot let this happen again and need to make a statement.
Taking Care Of Business, Part 2: Defeat the Cleveland Browns
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Even more than Carolina, Cleveland will treat the season finale against Pittsburgh as its Super Bowl. Ending the Steelers' chance at a division title would be a feather in their cap.
Colt McCoy had an impressive showing against the Steelers in his debut this year and has the Browns excited that they have themselves a quarterback. A win against the Steelers not only would give Cleveland momentum heading into next season, but it would provide McCoy with a lot of confidence and could solidify his position with the Browns.
Once again, this is not an opponent that the Steelers can overlook.
They will no longer be able to use this game to rest their veterans and will instead have to go out and play what should expect to be a hard-fought, physical game to end the regular season.
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Say Yes To the No-Huddle
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If the Steelers are to win their last two games, they are going to have to continue to use the no-huddle offense.
It sparked a 96-yard touchdown drive against the Jets and nearly brought them back in the final two-and-a-half minutes of the game. Ben Roethlisberger does a great job running the offense, and now that the young players are more familiar with the offense it is something that can be utilized more often.
Pittsburgh’s 17-point output was its best regulation point total since defeating Oakland in Week 11.
If the no-huddle is what helps the Steelers put points on the board, they have to continue to use it.
More Mendenhall
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Playing against one of the top run defenses in the league, Rashard Mendenhall had one of his best games of the season, averaging 5.9 yards per carry in his 100-yard effort.
It coincided with the offensive line’s best run blocking since Roethlisberger returned to the lineup.
Continuing to establish the ground game with the push they were getting from their offensive line, Pittsburgh could become a dangerous offensive team as they become balanced. Plus, Pittsburgh can use Mendenhall in their conventional offense or out of the no huddle.
A good ground game could further open up the play-action attack, which would get Mike Wallace more involved in the deep passing game and could pay dividends against Carolina and Cleveland.
Return to Blitzburgh
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Over the last two weeks the Steelers will be facing two rookie quarterbacks: Jimmy Clausen and Colt McCoy.
Pittsburgh’s defense can offer up some of the most exotic blitz schemes in the league but it can also make journeymen look like All-Pros. Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau has to bring back Blitzburgh after going away from it this past Sunday.
It will be essential that the Steelers send pressure at both Clausen and McCoy and force them into mistakes. This is particularly important since Troy Polamalu will likely be out of the lineup the rest of the regular season.
Without that dynamic playmaker in the defensive backfield, the Steelers will have to depend on James Harrison, LaMarr Woodley and Lawrence Timmons to wreak havoc on the opposing quarterbacks.
No Return on Special Teams
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The Steelers' special teams unit has been improved this season—until Sunday.
The opening kickoff return for a touchdown was one of the main contributing factors to their loss, and they cannot let similar plays happen against a less-talented Panthers or Browns team.
Big plays in the return game can help a less-talented team and completely change the momentum in a game.
Special teams coach Al Everest will have to go back to the drawing board to seal the cracks in the coverage units before another big return costs the Steelers another game.
Summary
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It is quite simple for the Steelers: win out and win the AFC North.
Pittsburgh could not asked for a much better schedule to finish the season: playing at home against Carolina before finishing on the road at Cleveland.
Both games are winnable and are must-wins. The Steelers control their own destiny and cannot leave the division in the hands of the Ravens.
In order to win out Pittsburgh will have to play to their strengths. Based on this past weekend’s performance, that is the no-huddle offense and running the ball with Mendenhall.
Defensively, Pittsburgh must put pressure on the quarterback and try to force them into mistakes.
The special teams needs to avoid a collapse because they cannot cost the Steelers another game.
As long as the Steelers can put these items together and play to their strengths, they will take care of the remaining teams on their schedule and take the AFC North title.
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