Chaos

Plaxico Burress, Vince Young, Tyler Palko, Donovan McNabb?  In less than 36 hours following the disturbing loss to arch rival Baltimore Ravens, Steeler Nation has careened into an utter state of hysteria as candidates to replace fallen quarterbacks and receivers filter in by the minute.  At some point this morning you will most assuredly hear the name Tommy Maddox in a reference that will most likely not bring warm tinglies to your midsection.  When I hear Kordell Stewart, I will officially climb the clock tower with rifle in hand.

As the news broke that both Byron Leftwich and Jerricho Cotchery have joined Big Ben Roethlisberger on the all rib team; panic, rumors, and resumes began flowing from every direction.  Didn't things seem crystal clear a few weeks back after the team bested the New York Giants to take a ton of momentum and a 5-3 record into the mid-way point?  Clarity has since given way to uncertainty as the stable of depth continually falls victim to injury.

Considering that Leftwich busted up his ribs falling into the end zone after his Kordell-esque touchdown jaunt to open Sunday's night game, Steeler Nation should have every right to be pissed off this morning.  Seriously, we're now being force fed the truth that Leftwich's miserable play following the opening drive was compounded by injury?  If we continue the logic path on this, do we conclude that a healthy Leftwich (or Charlie Batch) could have and should have beaten the Ravens, thus leaving the Black and Gold in the allusive catbird seat?

So what is ground zero right now on this team in terms of the next few weeks, and the prospects for the playoffs?  Based upon which route to the post season party the team chooses (or rather is presented with) the vibe and realities are quite different.

AFC NORTH TITLE:  Looks long, right?  Ok, consider that the very beatable Ravens must now travel to San Diego and play without another starting defensive back, after losing playmaker and headhunter Ed Reed to suspension, and the likelihood of a Charger upset is not outlandish.  With that being said, it becomes paramount that the Steelers come out of Cleveland with a win.  Thus urgency is upon them.

WILD CARD:  What, me worry?  The wild card is the greater of the two possibilities at this point, albeit not the preferred route.  The road to the wild card is simple and contains a lot of #7 in the recipe card.  The 2012 AFC wild card field is much weaker than in recent years. The Steelers can afford to lose this week, and even next week, while resting Big Ben for the stretch drive.  Four wins down the stretch almost locks the Steelers into the WC at 10-6.  Three wins leaves them at 9-7 and probably still post season bound, particularily if one of those wins is against the Cincy Bungles at home.  A 9-7 would most likely garner the notorious #6 seed, which would probably then require a trip to New England, Denver, or possibly even Baltimore.  None of these prospects are desirable, but all are winnable.

All in all, a win in Cleveland against a 2-8 Brownies squad would help ease a lot of pains and strengthen both playoff scenarios.  Of course, how many hits, or even snaps, can the ageless Charlie Batch take before he's taking his ride on the meat wagon?  Oh the drama...