AFC Playoff Picture: Pittsburgh Steelers and Most Dangerous Wild-Card Contenders

The AFC playoff race isn't going to be quite as exciting as the NFC's because there are only two spots up for grabs and that number will dwindle down to one if/when the Denver Broncos win on Sunday. 

But the wild-card teams in the AFC are probably going to be stronger than at least two of the division winners. I would not be shocked at all to see a wild-card team, be it the Pittsburgh Steelers or someone else, make it to the Super Bowl. 

The end of the season brings with it a feeling of great excitement because of all the playoff hype, and there could be upsets over the next two weeks that throw a monkey wrench into everything that we think we know, but right now everything looks fairly set in place. 

But which wild-card teams, or possible wild-card teams, are going to make the most noise if they are able to get in the postseason?

Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4)

They did have a hiccup against the San Francisco 49ers last week, and there are questions about how healthy Ben Roethlisberger really is, but how do you bet against the Steelers when the playoffs start?

Even if the offense struggles to move the ball consistently, the defense is so good that they can give Roethlisberger and Co. a short field with which to work. 

So despite the fact that they will likely have to play on the road throughout the playoffs, don't sell this team short. They played in the Super Bowl last year and have the team to do it again. 

Cincinnati Bengals (8-6)

If the Bengals are able to get in the playoffs, it would be hard not to favor them in their first game. As things stand right now, they would be the sixth seed with a game against the Houston Texans. 

Just think back to when the season started, most of us had the Bengals pegged as one of the worst teams in the league. Now, if they make the playoffs, they are likely going to win a game. 

The defense has been solid all season, and Andy Dalton hasn't really hit that rookie wall you would have expected him to. 

San Diego Chargers (7-7)

While I think that the odds of the Chargers winning a wild-card spot are worse than their odds of winning the AFC West, it is not impossible for them to sneak into one of those last two spots available. 

They have bounced back nicely from that six-game losing streak with three straight wins by at least 20 points. Philip Rivers is finally playing like himself, and the rest of the offense is following his lead. 

If they can get in, they have the potential to win a couple of games because they have as much talent on offense as anyone and the defense has the potential to be dominant. There are a lot of ifs in play, but don't be shocked to see them make a big move in the final two weeks. 

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