Dec 27, 2014 5 min read

A long, strange regular season will come to an end today with all but two playoff spots determined.

In the NFC, Seattle, Dallas, Green Bay, Detroit and Arizona are all in. And all enter today’s games with 11 victories.

The other spot will be decided at Atlanta, where the 6-9 Falcons will host 5-8-1 Carolina, with the winner not only winning the NFC South but also wrapping up the No. 4 seed and a home game in the first round next weekend.

In the AFC, the Steelers, New England, Denver, Indianapolis and Cincinnati wrapped up playoff berths. All have 10 or more wins.

San Diego currently holds the sixth spot, but needs to win at Kansas City to clinch.

If that doesn’t happen, Baltimore, Kansas City and even Houston still have a shot, with the Ravens holding the most likely scenario.

While the Steelers and Bengals both secured playoff spots, there will be plenty on the line when they play tonight at Heinz Field.

At 10-4-1, Cincinnati has a shot at securing the No. 2 seed in the AFC if it can defeat the Steelers and Denver loses to Oakland. That might seem like a far-fetched scenario, but the Raiders, despite being 3-12, won three of their past five games.

For the Steelers, a victory over the Bengals would mean they would win the AFC North for the first time since 2010, be the No. 3 seed in the AFC playoffs and stay at home, at least for the first round of the playoffs.

Lose, and they would travel to Indianapolis in the opening round. That might not sound like such a bad thing given that the Steelers whipped the Colts 43-23 Oct. 26, but that game was in Pittsburgh. Indianapolis is 6-2 at home this season.

The Steelers beat the Bengals, 42-21, in Cincinnati Dec. 7. But they scored 25 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to do so, erasing a 21-17 deficit.

They can’t necessarily count on doing that again.

Le’Veon Bell was a workhorse in that game, gaining 185 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries and catching six passes for another 50 yards and a score.

Bell was limited to 47 and 63 yards rushing in the two games since, as Atlanta and Kansas City both loaded up to stop the Steelers running back.

Cincinnati will likely do the same today, hoping its talented secondary, which intercepted Peyton Manning four times in a win over Denver Monday night that clinched the Bengals’ playoff spot, can keep the Steelers’ passing game in check.

As Bell told me last week, teams can “pick their poison” against the Steelers. You might be able to stop one thing, but the Steelers don’t think opponents can stop both.

Likewise, the Steelers better figure out a way to slow Cincinnati rookie running back Jeremy Hill. Hill had 46 yards on just eight carries in the loss to the Steelers.

Since then, he had 148 yards in a win over Cleveland and 147 in the victory against Denver.

One caveat to Hill’s success has been his propensity to fumble. He’s put the ball on the ground three times in those past two games.

Bell will win the battle of running backs and the Steelers, who are three-point favorites, will win this game.

Take Pittsburgh, 27-20

Detroit hasn’t won at Green Bay since 1991.

Take Green Bay, 27-17

After being beaten by a QB signed off the practice squad last week, the Ravens will get the job done against another one this time around at home.

Take Baltimore, 30-7

Just a feeling that Carolina catches the Falcons flat-footed after a big win in New Orleans last week.

Take Carolina, 23-20

Chargers’ road to the postseason is simple. Win. KC not having Alex Smith will help.

Take San Diego, 24-20

Spread is 13. Seahawks haven’t allowed more than 7 points in four of past five.

Take Seattle, 27-6

The 49ers will give Jim Harbaugh a farewell present.

Take San Francisco, 20-14

Broncos are ripe for the picking in the playoffs. But this isn’t a playoff game.

Take Denver, 30-12

The Bills just don’t beat the Patriots, who will win despite having nothing to play for.

Take New England, 26-20

Dallas is 7-0 on the road this season.

Take Dallas, 31-17

Colts got smoked in Dallas last week and now try to right the ship heading into the postseason.

Take Indianapolis, 34-14

Bucs playing for the No. 1-overall pick in the draft.

Take New Orleans, 24-17

Texans need a win and some help to get into the playoffs.

Take Jacksonville to cover in a 20-13 loss

A farewell game for Rex Ryan?

Take the Jets to cover in a 23-20 loss

A farewell to coach Tom Coughlin?

Take the Giants, 27-24

The Bears are among the league’s biggest disappointments but should cover.

Take the Bears to cover in a 28-24 loss

Last week: ATS: 5-8; Straight up: 8-5

Overall: ATS: 99-116-4; Straight up: 145-76

F. Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com.