There have been a couple of emails to me over the last 24 hours asking about the Steelers and what has to happen over the next few weeks to ensure the Steelers get the two-seed in the AFC. Ed Bouchette at the Post-Gazette had this in his chat today that hopefully will clear up the matter:
Will_from_Freehold__NJ: Ed, regarding the tie-breakers: In the event that the Steelers lost, would the Steelers still be technically in first place? They would have the same record (10-4), they would both have one loss in the division (Pit: 4-1, Bal: 5-1) but the Steelers would have a better AFC record at 8-2 and the Ravens would be 8-3. Please shed some light.
Ed Bouchette: Yes, they would have the lead on that tiebreaker, and that could be crucial. They can lose at Baltimore, but if they win their final two games, they’ll be AFC North champs and get the No. 2 seed. So, again, this is not a must-win for them.
I also think that if the Steelers win on Sunday, they will officially be the AFC North Champs as well, but don’t quote me on that one.
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RP
December 9, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Ed was right about the Steelers still winning the division if they lose to Balt and beat Tenn and Clev, but he was wrong about why. A change has been amde recently to the order of tiebreakers in a division, it is now:
1. Head-to-head.
2. Best won-lost within the division.
3. Best won-lost in common games.
4. Best won-lost within the conference.
5. Strength of victory.
Record in common games comes before conference record. Still, the Steelers will beat out the Birdies if they beat Tenn and Clev.
If they lose to Balt and Tenn and beat Clev and Balt loses to Dallas, the Steelers still have a very good chance to win the division based on their strength of vistory.