Bad news ... not Bears, but Browns, Jaguars, Chargers and Broncos
Apparently in working out the playoff scenarios JJ and I were a little off. There are 2 scenarios in which the Steelers could win our remaining 2 games - against the Cleveland Browns in Cleveland and against the Detroit Lions at Heinz - and still not make the playoffs, potentially being only the second team in NFL history to go 11-5 at the end of the regular season and not make the playoffs.
From Jim Wexell of Scout.com:
1.) The Steelers finish tied for a wild-card spot with the Broncos (11-3).
The Broncos would have to lose their remaining games -- home against the Oakland Raiders (4-10) and at the San Diego (9-5) - and the Chargers would have to win their final two games. The Chargers would win the division because of a better division record. The Broncos would eliminate the Steelers with a better conference record.
2.) The Steelers finish in a three-way tie with the Chargers and Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4).
Left on the Chargers' schedule is a game at the Kansas City Chiefs (8-6) and a home game against the Broncos.
Left on the Jaguars' schedule is a game at the Houston Texans (2-12) and a home game against the Tennessee Titans(4-10).
If the three teams finish tied, the two remaining spots would go to the Chargers and Jaguars because of conference record.
We'll have to see how it plays out on Saturday against the Browns. And we'll be keeping an eye on those Chargers, Jaguars and Broncos, too.