Pittsburgh Steelers path to the AFCN title

It has already begun. The naysayers are all over the Pittsburgh Steelers calling it the end of times, while the cinderella hoppers are predicting the Cincinati Bengals to soon rule the world. One sweep in 10 years and the Bengals are now the team to beat in the AFC. The problem is, they are the Bengals and there is still a bunch of football left to play.

Granted the Bengals are a much improved team and they have swept both the Ratbirds and Steelers in the same season for the first time in team history. They are playing lights out on the defensive side of the ball and very safe when on offense. Change the uni’s and you have the Pittsburgh Steelers. So good for the Bengals and Oucho Stinko, but before we hand them the Lombardi Trophy, they need to prove they can do it when it really counts. In the play-offs!

So with what essentially is a two game lead on the Steelers and only seven games left to play the questions has to be, can the Bengals continue what they started or will the Steelers chase them down for the division crown? To answer that question we will need to analyze the remaining schedule for both teams and find out who has the clearest path to the AFCN title.

Bengals 7-2

Remaining Scedule:

@ Oakland – W

Up next for Cincinnati is a trip to Oakland to face the down trodden Raiders and unless Oakland brings the same passion as they did verse the Eagles earlier in the season this game should be an easy win for the Bengals, even if Cedric Benson is sidelined after being injured in Pittsburgh.

vs. Cleveland – W

Though Cleveland played the Bengals very close earlier in the season they won’t be as competitive this time around. The Browns are in meltdown mode and that won’t change when they see the Bengals in two weeks.

vs. Detriot – W

This game could be a trap for the Bengals. After back to back wins that thier practice squad could have handled they will face yet another team they should beat easily. The problem is the Lions won’t go down without a fight. This game will be closer then many think but in the end the Bengals should win it.

@ Minnesota – L

This is the game that will be the tell tale of the Bengals season. If they can win it, then the division is theirs, if not then they will allow the Steelers to sneak back into the race. Brett Favre and Adrian Peterson verse a stout Bengals defense should be an interesting match up. The problem is the real Bengals will show their ugly face in this one and sell out thier cinderalle status. I look for the Vikings to walk away with an easy win here.

@ San Diego – L

Phillip Rivers verse Carson Palmer, most seasons this game would be an offensive showdown between two of the leagues best gunslingers. The problem is the Bengals will be shell shocked from the loss to the Vikings the week before and will try to let Cedric Benson carry them to victory. That strategy will back fire and they won’t be able to score enough points to keep up with the Chargers as they trade field goals for tuchdowns and lose by 10 or more.

vs. Kansas City – W

Back in the comfort of the jungel the Bengals will face the Chiefs in a must win game if they wish to win the division title. No pressure here, this game is as straight as it gets and their will be no excuss if they blow it, which they wont. Look for the Bengals to win big as the Chiefs have thoughts of the off season in mind.

@ New York Jets – L

Will the real Ravens defense please stand up? Yes, but they are now in New York. The Jets will be chasing a wild card and will need to win this game to get into the play offs. This game may even be called the battle of USC as Palmer faces fellow alumni Matt Sanchez, but the outcome will be determined by the defense and not the one in the stripped uni’s. Look for the Jets to win on a late field goal and make it into the play offs.

Bengals final record 11-5

 

Steelers 6-3

Remaining Scedule:

@ Kansas City – W

The Chiefs record does not show it but they are a better team then many give them credit for. The problem is they will be facing a pissed off Pittsburgh Steelers team that knows they beat themselves the week before. Ben Roethlisberger is not known for back to back bad games and this one will be one of his best on the season. Three to four touchdowns passes on the day won’t be out of the question as the Steelers win this one with ease.

@ Ravens – W

Could this be the revenge game Baltimore is seeking? The Steelers beat them three times last season, including the one that killed their Super Bowl hopes. So the Ratbirds will play with passion as not only will they want some redemption, they will need to win to have a chance to get into the play offs. So much for high hopes and emotion though as the Steelers will find a way to win late and once again prove they are the bullies of the north.

vs. Raiders – W

So easy, like stealing candy from a baby. Thats what most fans will be thinking when this game rolls around. One problem, an even worse version of this team beat the Steelers a few years back for the upset of the season. So nothing is garunteed or should be taken for granted. Another problem, it will be too easy as history won’t repeat itself and the Steelers will dominate on every front while winning this game big.

@ Cleveland – W

The Brownies are the leagues worst team and lack everything it takes to be a quality one. They have no offense, no defense and no respect for their coach. Worst of all, they may have already gave up on the season as the players just look to get it over with. Though the Stains played it close the last time around, that won’t be the case in this one as Rashard Mendenhall will lead the Steelers to an easy win.

vs. Packers – L

I have a bad feeling about this game and it shows in my prediction for the outcome. This is one the Steelers should win but injuries could catch up to them as the Packers offense finds a way to pass on the Steelers and pull out an improbable win.

vs. Ravens – W

Here we go again, I can already hear it as Ray Lewis trys to fire up his team for one last chance at some respect when facing the Steelers. The problem is, the Steelers have lost all respect for this defense and Big Ben will light them up for a ton of yards and a couple TD’s as Pittsburgh sails to an easy win.

@ Miami

Whoot, some fun in the sun. The Steelers will be looking to get sun tans and wins all on the same day. Miami on the other hand will be planning a kitty cat sneak attack. One problem, Pittsburghs defense is too good to get beat by the Wildcat and Chad Henne is not ready to beat them on his own, nor does he have the weapons to help him do so. The Steelers will turn a slow start into a rush to a victory as Mendenhall and company win their final tune up for the play offs.

Steelers final record 12-4 and division champions once again.

So before the NFL media band wagon gets all of the Steelers fans down by talking up the Bengals, remember one thing, cinderalla can have all the attention but in the end, the big bad wolf will get his dinner. What I mean by that is not only will the Steelers win the division they will also be the team to smash the glass slipper as they get their revenge when it counts, in the play offs.

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3. Steelers – Bengals Preview
4. Injuries catch up to Steelers in loss to the Ravens
5. King Troy returns as Stillers down Stains