Steelers’ playoff fate in their hands
As they did a year ago, the Steelers hold their playoff fate in their hands. If they win their final five games, they will win the AFC North. That sounds pretty simple.
Heck, if they win four of their final five games – so long as one of those wins is against Baltimore on Christmas Day – they’ll likely be AFC North champs.
Of course, they were in a similar position last season and stumbled at Baltimore, putting themselves in position to need a win at Cleveland and help from Buffalo against the New York Jets to get into the postseason.
“That left a really bad taste in my mouth,” admitted defensive end Stephon Tuitt. “No matter what this journey is like before we make it to the postseason, it’s a journey. You’ve got to take it a game at a time and you have to play Steelers football, because when we play Steelers football, we’re hard to beat. When we’re playing physical and making a team not want to come back on the field, that’s when we’re hard to beat.”
A win today over the New York Giants at Heinz Field would be another big step toward locking up a playoff berth.
At 8-3, the Giants have won their past six games but haven’t exactly been all that impressive, beating Baltimore, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Chicago and Cleveland. Their only win by more than a touchdown in that stretch came last week at Cleveland.
The Steelers pulled out of their four-game losing streak with wins against Cleveland and an Andrew Luck-less Indianapolis, but were dominating in both of those wins.
More importantly, the Steelers are at home, where Ben Roethlisberger has 15 touchdown passes in just four starts this season.
The Giants, the only team to beat Dallas this season, also have a big meeting next week with the Cowboys at home and could get caught looking past this game.
The Steelers are 6-point favorites, largely because the Giants have averaged just 18 points per game on the road and haven’t scored more than 28 points in a game.
The Steelers, meanwhile, have averaged 32 points per game in Roethlisberger’s home starts.
It won’t be easy, but the Steelers should make it three wins in a row today.
Take the Giants to cover in a 31-27 loss.
Will the Bengals get it together to save Marvin Lewis’ job?
Take Cincinnati, 21-20
If the Dolphins can score 20, they win here.
Take Miami, 20-17
If you like offense, this should be the game to watch this weekend.
Take New Orleans, 37-31
The Redskins are rested but the Cardinals need a win if they’re going to have any shot at the postseason. The Redskins won’t have Pro Bowl tight end Jordan Reed. Desperation wins.
Take Arizona, 27-23
The Bucs have been on fire, but so have the Chargers.
Take San Diego, 27-23
The Colts should get Andrew Luck back to attack a soft Jets pass defense. You should usually go against a QB coming off a concussion but not in this game.
Take the Colts, 28-24
The Seahawks got embarrassed last week. They’ll bounce back at home.
Take Seattle, 24-17
The Raiders are 3-2 at the Black Hole but are playing with a lot of confidence.
Take Oakland, 30-23
Will the Broncos have a letdown after their shocking loss to the Chiefs? Rookie Paxton Lynch will start at QB for Denver.
Take Jacksonville to cover in a 17-16 loss
Speaking of letdowns, the Chiefs got a gift last week in Denver. Now, they give it back.
Take Atlanta, 27-17
The Texans are going the wrong way. The Packers pulled out of their slide last week.
Take Green Bay, 26-20
This is another tough spot for young Jared Goff after getting hammered at New Orleans last week.
Take New England, 31-10
Even the families of the players don’t want to watch this game.
Take San Francisco, 23-16
Last week: 9-7 ATS; 12-4 Straight up
Overall: 75-82-4 ATS; 93-70-2 Straight up
Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com.