Postseason on the line for Steelers

PITTSBURGH -- Despite a mediocre conference record that could eventually bring their season to an end Jan. 1, the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5) remain in the hunt for the NFL playoffs.
To get into the postseason, the Steelers need two things:
U Win.
U Help from the opponents of the Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4), San Diego Chargers (8-5) and Kansas City Chiefs (8-5).
Theoretically, the Steelers can still beat out the Cincinnati Bengals (10-3) for the AFC North Division crown.
But for that to happen, the Steelers would have to win their remaining three games (Sunday in Minneapolis against the 8-5 Vikings, Dec. 24 in Cleveland against the 4-9 Browns and on New Year's Day at Heinz Field against the 4-9 Detroit Lions).
And the Bengals would have to lose their final three contests (Sunday at Detroit, Dec. 24 at home against the 4-9 Buffalo Bills and at Kansas City on Jan. 1).
With a magic number of one (Bengals win or Steelers loss), it should surprise no one when Marvin Lewis' team clinches a home playoff game Sunday.
That's what makes the AFC wild card race intriguing.
Down to wirefor wild card
The Steelers are tied with the Chiefs and Chargers for sixth place in the AFC. If the season ended today, the Steelers probably would be on the outside looking in at the playoffs because of their 6-5 conference record.
In the confusing world of NFL tie-breakers, conference records are important in settling wild card stalemates.
All five of Pittsburgh's losses have been to AFC opponents -- the Patriots, Jaguars, Ravens, Colts and Bengals. The Chiefs and Chargers have three conference losses each.
Before conference records come into play, head-to-head matchups settle ties.
Because of a 23-17 overtime loss to the Jaguars in October, the Steelers would lose a tie-breaker to Jacksonville. On the other hand, the Steelers have the advantage over the Chargers because of a 24-22 victory in October. The Steelers and Chiefs don't play.
So what tops the Steelers' wish list? Losses for the Chiefs and Chargers -- the more the merrier. And the schedule-maker might help because neither AFC West team has an easy road to the playoffs.
Tougher roadto playoffs
Today, the Chiefs play the NFC East-leading New York Giants (9-4) at the Meadowlands. On Christmas Eve, the Chargers and Chiefs meet in Kansas City. The Chiefs then close the season with a home game against the Bengals, who most likely will playing for a first-round bye if not a division crown.
The Chargers play the unbeaten Colts (13-0) at Indianapolis on Sunday and close the season at home against the Denver Broncos (10-3), the team the Bengals are battling for the AFC's second bye. The Colts have home-field advantage locked up.
Multiple losses by the Chiefs and Chargers are possible.
The Jaguars have the easiest remaining schedule: Sunday at home against the 49ers (2-11), Dec. 24 at Houston against the Texans (1-12) and Jan. 1 at home against the Titans (4-9).
The Steelers' toughest test comes Sunday in the Metrodome against the Vikings. Pittsburgh's last game in a dome (Indianapolis' RCA Dome) was a disaster -- a 26-7 blowout for the Colts.
Crowd noise was a factor as the Steelers committed numerous penalties (so many that some viewers thought "False Start, Number 73" was a new television show that ABC was promoting).
Last week on a snowy field, the Steelers shut down the 9-4 Chicago Bears, which had been the hottest NFL team outside of Indiana.
This week, they play the Vikings (the new hottest team outside of Indiana). Minnesota has won six straight games after a 2-5 start.
Adding fuel to the Vikings' fire is that four players -- quarterback Daunte Culpepper, lineman Bryant McKinnie, cornerback Fred Smoot and running back Moe Williams -- were charged Thursday with misdemeanors for their roles in the team's wild boat party in October.
Do the Vikings care what anyone outside their locker room thinks of their actions? Probably not.
Are they likely to be inspired with an us-against-the-world mentality? Probably so.
The Steelers need to prove they are as good as they showed in their wins over the Chargers and Bengals. A win Sunday would affirm their playoff worthiness, even if it's as a wild card team.
XTom Williams is a sportswriter for The Vindicator. Write him at williams@vindy.com.