The Pittsburgh Steelers need a good stretch of games in order to have a shot of making the playoffs this season. The season thus far has been a definite success and utter failure in the same way. On one hand, T.J. Watt may win the Defensive Player of the Year Award, and you also have Ben Roethlisberger who appears to be struggling to perform at the same level from a few years ago. There's a lot on both sides but that is for another time. Right now, the team needs to make everything work together to try and make a playoff push. It is presumably the last year of their current starting quarterback, and it may be a long time before they find a replacement of a similar caliber.
According to the website 538.com, the Steelers need to win each of their remaining two games in order to have a chance to make the playoffs. The possible scenarios:
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- Two wins. In this scenario, the first home game win will come against the Cleveland Browns who are currently last in the AFC North. After that, the final game will be on the road to face the probable first or second seed Baltimore Ravens. If that happens, the Steelers have a 67% chance of making the playoffs and a 31% chance of winning the division.
- Two losses. 0% chance of making the playoffs. The season ends and the Steelers go 7-9-1, making it the first losing season under head coach, Mike Tomlin. Sounds like a bunch of hoopla.
- One win, one loss. Either way you slice it, there is a 0% chance the Steelers make the playoffs, no matter who they defeat.
- One win, one tie. In this scenario, there is a chance the Steelers make the playoffs. It depends on where the tie ends up because if the team wins against the Browns and ties against the Ravens, the squad has a 13% chance to make the playoffs. If the team ties against the Browns and wins against the Ravens, this results in a 23% chance for the Steelers.
- One loss, one tie. Another example of either way you slice it, the team cannot make the playoffs. The team is unable to make the playoffs if they lose a game.
- Two ties. The final possible combination that yields an already similar result. Two ties equal a zero percent chance of playoffs. Big yikes.
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In order for the Steelers to even sniff the playoffs, they need to win these final two games. Plain and simple.
Do you think that the team will be able to make a run at the playoffs or will the odds not be in their favor? Will Roethlisberger be able to carry the team to the playoffs while the defense holds their own? Let me know in the comments below!
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