The New York Jets' loss on Monday, aside from embarassing the franchise and fans, eliminated them from playoff contention this season. With this being said, here is the updated AFC Wild Card race as we hit the stretch of the 2012 regular season.
The two teams currently on top of the standings are the Cincinnati Bengals and Indianapolis Colts. Both teams caught fire at the right time. For the Bengals it was after Week 10 against the New York Giants. Since then, they have won five of their last six games turning a 3-5 start into a possible 10-6 season. The Colts took off after Week 7 against the Cleveland Browns, winning seven of their last nine.
The Colts are now the 5th seeded team topping the AFC Wild Card standings. Meanwhile the Bengals are right behind them with the 6th seed, the last playoff spot available.
In the Hunt
The 7-7 Pittsburgh Steelers are hurting at the wrong time. They were able to deal with injuries throughout the season, but without Ben Roethlisberger the Steelers can't win. The Steelers don't need a miracle yet, they just have to win.
Low and behold, the Steelers play the Bengals on Sunday. If they win that game, they ensure the 6th seed since they would own the tiebreak. With a victory on Sunday, the Steelers could seal the deal with a victory of their own or a Bengals loss.
The Miami Dolphins, believe it or not, have a chance as well. They are 6-8, and though they seem completely out of it, if the Bengals slip up and they somehow manage to lose both of their last games, the Dolphins own that tiebreak after beating them back in Week 5. If the Steelers can beat the Bengals and then lose in Week 17, then they would both finish 8-8.
The tiebreaker would be decided by the teams' record against AFC teams. Currently, both are 4-6. The Dolphins could have an advantage as they face two conference opponents. The Steelers only face one more.
The Dolphins chances are slim though and, of course, they have to win their last two games of the season while depending on other squads to lose.
The Steelers control their own destiny. All they have to do is beat the Bengals and their chances of making the playoff increase immediately.
The AFC Wild Card will be a hell of a race to keep track of at the end of the season.
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