Looking at it again it seems that Jacksonville-Tennessee game would not be completely meaningless for Jax. San Diego would actually be first in the Pitt-SD-Jax tiebreaker, so:
if SD goes 2-0, Pitt 2-0, Jax 2-0, then:
5. Jax, 6. Pitt, 7. SD
if SD 2-0, Pitt 2-0, Jax 1-1, then:
5. SD, 6. Jax, 7. Pitt
So Jacksonville would be playing that last game for 5th rather than 6th seed. Though who knows, maybe they don’t want 5th, so they don’t have to play New England? 
Airman e-mailed me to say he’s completely disgusted with the Colts.
I am equally disgusted with the Cowboys for obvious reasons.
Robin
Actually, I think I was thinking of the Bengals game. The Steelers played the Colts at Indy, then the Bengals played the Colts at Indy, and then the Bengals played the Steelers at Pittsburgh. I think I got that slightly mixed up in my mind when I was thinking of the divisional and playoff implications earlier.
I wouldn’t worry too much about the SD-KC game. The Chiefs never lose at home this time of year and they aren’t eliminated from the wild card yet. Plus, it’s a big divisional game, giving them even more of an incentive to win.
But I can’t believe I’m gonna be rooting for the Chiefs next week. That’s just so wrong.
If they’re the 6th seed, they’re playing either the Bengals or the Broncos at home. I’m not sure that’d be better than having to play in New England in January. They’re all gonna be cold and possibly snowy outdoor stadiums.
I found out today there’s another way Pittsburgh could win their last 2 and still miss the playoffs. If San Diego wins out and Denver loses to Oakland this weekend, then SD wins the division and Denver beats Pittsburgh in the wild card tiebreaker due to conference records.
How’s the Saturday weather looking in Cleveland?
Not likely to happen. Denver is fighting for that first-round bye. Yes, it’s a rivalry game, but it’s in Denver and Denver’s best hope to get that bye is to win out and hope the Cincinnatti loses to Kansas City in Week 17 in Kansas City. And let’s face it, they’re playing the Raiders. And as I said, the Chargers game is also a rivalry game, and the Chiefs never lose at home in December.
Woohoo! A rather convincing win! I didn’t get to see too much of it since I was doing holiday traveling, but wow! 42-zip? Or somethng like that.
If they play out the season like they played yesterday, we may indeed be going to the big game.
Still a convoluted playoff picture. Comes down to the last week to determine 3 slots for 6 teams, or something like that.
The NFC is even weirder.
Isn’t it actually less convoluted? As far as I understand it, it’s win and in for Pittsburgh, and Jacksonville has clinched. Kansas City’s only shot is to win and have Pittsburgh lose, which would give us tied records, and give them the wildcard slot due to conference records, right? The first round byes are sewn up, so Cincinatti will probably take it pretty easy next week at K.C. anyway. It all depends on the Steelers’ ability to handle the Lions (5-10) at Heinz Field next week.
Is this wrong?
The Colts have locked up the 1st seed and the Broncos the 2nd seed. The Bengals are currently the 3rd seed and the Patriots the 4th but that could change depending on tomorrow night’s game against the Jets and the outcome next week. If the Bengals lose and the Patriots win out I believe the Patriots get the third seed. The question then is what happens if the Steelers manage to lose to the Lions. Seems to me to be a classic trap game for the Steelers next week, but if they can’t win against the 3-12 Lions to get into the playoffs then maybe the Chiefs deserve to be in instead.
The real question is would the Steelers rather play in Cincinnatti or Foxboro?
My guess would be Cincinnatti. After all, they already won at Cincinnatti during the season and their stock seems to be going “down”, the Patriots are going “up”.
BTW, have you noticed that almost all the AFC teams that are playoff-bound are:
a.) teams that pittsburgh has played against during the regular season and
b.) they have lost against?
Cincinnatti
New England
Jacksonville
Indianapolis
It’s hard to sweep…keep hope alive!
I recorded the game and just watched the first half. Wow. OK, the Browns really sucked, but damn! We were pretty good!
I hope we play that well next week!
Well, that was quick. The playoffs beckon, ladies and gentlemen. Chiefs fans, better luck next year. Not really, but it seems to be the thing to say.
Woohoo! Now *that *is how you start a game! Way to go Randel El.
Well, it appears that I may have spoken a bit out of turn, but it is the Lions, so they’ll blow it.
Wow. A much closer game than I am comfortable with! But we lead at the half - go Steelers!
Damn it, where’d the secondary go?
Goota beef it up, Steel Curtain! Quit letting those little freaks get so open! I mean, what’s gonna happen when a good passing game comes to play?
The Pitt O is looking good, tho. Bettis, Ward, Miller, Big Ben. Nice to see.
GO BRONCOS! (as tho you needed reminding where my fandom truly lies) 
Funny to see the Bungles self destruct these last three weeks, innit?