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Sunday, November 01, 2009

Next three weeks could decide AFC North

The next three weeks may very well decide who wins the AFC North title this season.

While Cincinnati and Pittsburgh are off, Baltimore hosts unbeaten Denver in one of the marquee matchups of Week 8.

A loss by the Ravens, which would be their fourth in a row following a 3-0 start, would all but bury them in the division race.

Week 9 will send the Ravens to Cincinnati, while the Steelers head to Denver.

Again, given that Baltimore has already lost once to the Bengals at home, a loss at Cincinnati would severely damage Baltimore's playoff hopes, even if it defeats Denver this weekend.

A loss by the Steelers in Denver would drop them to 5-3 and would, more importantly, be the team's second AFC loss.

It wouldn't be a killer, but it would hurt.

Week 10 then sees Cincinnati visiting Heinz Field, while Baltimore heads to Cleveland for what should be a cakewalk over the Browns.

Having already lost in Cincinnati, the Steelers have to beat the Bengals at home to have a chance to win the division, particularly with two games remaining against the Ravens.

23 comments:

Robbie said...

As of now, the Steelers control their own destiny for the #3 seed. They just have to keep winning games. No more soul-crushing come-from-ahead losses like the ones to the Bears and Bungles.

I wrote the Steelers off after the Bungles loss, and it would suck if that one comes back to haunt them in the end. James Farrior got burned on 4th down by Brian Freaking Leonard. Just win the Super Bowl and everything will be forgiven.

Patrick in Denver said...

Thanks for doing the blog Dale. Will you be in Denver next week? If so, check us out at the Invesco tailgate.

Anonymous said...

This Steeler team has enough talent to determine their own destiny. I do not beleive they have played a complete game yet, but they're hitting the heart of their schedule and it's time to bring it all together. The Ravens defense looks old and on the decline and the Bengals defense is on the upswing but not at the Steelers level....yet.

For the Steelers, this is their time. This is their moment. Let er rip and may the best men win.

Dale Lolley said...

I will be in Denver next week.

Anonymous said...

Denver looked very ordinary against Baltimore today. Balt's defense isn't as scary as in years past, but they were way more than Denver could handle.

Dale Lolley said...

Denver didn't even try to challenge the Ravens down the field. That's where Baltimore is vulnerable, in the secondary.

Anonymous said...

The Steelers could win in Denver, lose in Cincinnati and still win the division through countless permutations, and many of them predictable.

Dale Lolley said...

A loss to Cincinnati would mean they'd likely have to sweep the Ravens, which won't be easy. That crowd will be extra fired up for a night game down there.
Cincinnati's got some easy games coming up. Losses to the Ravens and Steelers the next couple of weeks could send the Bengals into their death spiral.

Unknown said...

Pitts Smellers don't control their own destiny b/c they R 1-1 in the Division and the Bengals are 3-0. If anyone is in control of the division, its the Bengals. They run the ball like Pitt and Baltimore used to. And Dale is right, Ravens are vulnerable downfield.

Anonymous said...

Brent get your back back the bus is here

Anonymous said...

"the next three weeks could decide....."

Or the next three weeks after that.

Or maybe the last three weeks.

Or maybe the Steelers should worry about beating Denver, they have not beaten a good team on the road yet.

Farmer Fran.

Anonymous said...

Are you all crazy as hell?

If the Bengals beat the Ravens in Cincy, and beat the overated Pit. The Bengals will clinch the AFC North.
Don't forget Pit we allready beat you once and will soon sweep you for the year!!!Ha,Ha, Ha

Anonymous said...

Pitt don't have a chance to beat the Ravens twice!! They will be lucky to even get a wild card!!
Better luck next year Pitt Smellers!!!

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Anonymous said...

I love how every blog I read always has Steelers fans clogging it talking about how great their team is, and how the only reason they lost is because the other team got lucky. There is no winning an argument with them since they will not concentrate on the current season, but instead would rather talk about how many rings they have won. The steelers are very beatable to both the Bengals and Ravens, both of whom match up very well against them. Steelers fans, let them play the game, and then lets talk about who is better this season in the AFCN, not "all time"

Anonymous said...

Don't forget to beat the rat birds before you play the steelers. I didn't see anyone talk about supperbowl rings. If you want to talk about the now, why don't you talk about the game you have coming up and not what your girlfriend told you what was going to happen when she looked in her crystal ball. We have Denver coming up. After that game come back and show your fase. And we'll talk about the Cincy game. I'll be here after the game also. just incase you want to stop by, but I dought you will. By then you'll be a Colts fan I'm sure.
Zeke
Oh by the way. We have 6 of those rings. Just incase you couldn't remember....

Robbie said...

Brent:

Yo, Einstein, the Steelers do indeed control their own destiny. If they win out, they'd be 14-2 and the Bengals would be no better than 13-3. The Bengals control their own destiny as well.

Anonymous said...

can we talk about something constructive?

is fast willie fully healed? if so, will the division of labor change or is mendy the clear #1 now?

what's kirschke's status?

will denver pick on carter if clark doesn't play?

BengalFan4Life said...

Robbie,
Thanks for confirming your status as a typical Staller fan. You are proud and loud when they win, and "write them off" when they lose. Let me guess, before you were a Pitt fan you were a Giant fan, and before that a Colts fan and when the Steelers won SBXL you were a proud Pitt fan...Show some pride and get off the bandwagon.

Kyle said...

BengalFan,
I'm not interested in getting into a back and forth but the "typical" steeler fan has made every steelers home game a sell out since 1972. enjoy your blackouts.

BengalFan4Life said...

Kyle,
Point noted. However, in my humble opinion, a fan base's allegiance can not truly be judged by whether or not the stadium is filled. How many of those tickets were bought by corporations? I am guessing the Heinz family has a few connections. Lets see how full the stadium is after a few bad seasons. The Steelers are, and have been a very successful team. There is no doubt about that. I am not questioning the skill level or the ability of the Steelers. What I am questioning is the level of dedication and commitment of most of (perhaps not you), the Steeler fans I know. I don't hear anything but excuses and claims such as Robbie's "writing them off" statement whenever they lose. In closing, I will simply state that the best AFC North team (excluding the Browns of course) will have a great chance in the post season. I for one hope it is the Bengals, if not, I can only do what I have done for the last 20 years...Wait until next year.

Anonymous said...

Wow, look at all this ballzy Bungle talk. One lucky win against the Steelers and you think you own the North all of the sudden. Wow. You better wake up fast because there's no way you're winning that next game in Pittsburgh. Good luck! We'll see who's on top at the end of the season.

BengalFan4Life said...

At this point 3-0 vs AFC North teams.....Kinda looks like we do own it. Thanks for pointing that out...Anonymous bandwagon rider. And the only thing that's gonna be on top is Big Ben, and by on top i mean on top of a poor defensless hotel clerk that can't push his fat ARSE off of her.