3 reasons Steelers can still win without Antonio Brown

By John Buhler | Dec 17, 2017

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 17: Antonio Brown No. 84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is walked off the field by trainers after landing awkwardly while attempting to catch a pass in the second quarter during the game against the New England Patriots at Heinz Field on December 17, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

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PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 17: Eli Rogers No. 17 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates with teammates after an 18-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter during the game against the New England Patriots at Heinz Field on December 17, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

1. Pittsburgh plays in the AFC, so that absolutely helps

The best thing that the Steelers have going for them in the aftermath of this Brown injury is that they play in the weaker AFC. Right now, there are two elite teams: Pittsburgh and New England. After that, there is another very good team in the Jacksonville Jaguars. Then it gets bad really quickly.

It looks like 9-7 will get a team into the AFC Playoffs. In the NFC, 10-6 is no guarantees. Pittsburgh already has 11 wins and should finish the season at worst 12-4. Most teams would die to be 12-4 in a calendar year. Pittsburgh has already put in the work to be great, having not lost since that early season debacle to Jacksonville.

Which brings up the next point. You know that Pittsburgh will want to give it Jacksonville when they play again. Do you really think that Roethlisberger is going to get picked off five times by the Jaguars again, especially if the Steelers play in Pittsburgh? Should the Steelers lose to the Patriots on Sunday afternoon, well, they’ll want revenge in the 2017 SEC Championship in Foxborough.

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Brown might lose his MVP candidacy for being out for most of this Week 15 game. However, his team is in good enough shape to sustain his loss in the short-to-medium term. This is just a calf injury. If it were worse and Pittsburgh’s record was worse, then there’d be some cause for concern. Just get healthy, AB.

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