The short answer to this question is yes, but there are, it seems, scenarios that people are attempting to think up that could allow the champs a shot at defending their title.
Realistically, however, The Steelers are sitting at 6-7 right now with games against the Packers, Ravens, and Dolphins coming up. Best case for them is to win out this season, but even then they end up 9-7, chasing second place in a division that could produce a wild card contender. The Ravens are in second right now sitting at 6-6 with Lions, Bears, Steelers, and Raiders all coming up. The Ravens just had a heart breaking loss to the Packers, but let’s be honest, the Lions and Raiders are no where near as talented as the Packers, and the Bears look horrible this season. SO even if the Steelers find a way to win their game against one another, the two teams end up with a tied record and that will place the Ravens at 3-3 in the Division while the Steelers will be 2-4. So even in that sense, the Ravens will still own second place. In a conference with the Broncos sitting currently at 8-4 and the the Jags at 7-5, it simply doesn’t strike me that 9-7 will be good enough to make it in the end. The Steelers are the main example of why in this league it is so important to win the games u are supposed to win. Play off hopefuls cannot often afford to lose to the Raiders and Browns. Better luck next year!
