• Steelers' demise perhaps premature

  • By John Clayton | December 21, 2009 2:35:10 PM PST
Here is why it's hard to proclaim a team dead when it hasn't been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs.The Steelers had a big win over the Packers in Week 15. If they beat the Ravens on Sunday in Pittsburgh, there is a way they can control their own destiny going into the final week. For that to happen, the Colts would have to beat the Jets, the Patriots would have to beat the Jaguars, the Eagles would have to beat the Broncos and the Dolphins would have to beat the Texans. All of those are possible. The Steelers travel to Miami for the season finale.Sparano's concerns: Dolphins coach Tony Sparano is worried about turnovers. He said Monday that the Dolphins have 10 more fumbles and 10 more interceptions than they had at this time last season. A Sparano-coached team stresses discipline and ball security.Chargers thin at center: The Chargers likely lost center Scott Mruczkowski for the season with a knee injury he suffered in the final minute of the Week 15 victory over the Bengals, and they still don't know if center Nick Hardwick will be able to play on Christmas Day against the Titans. If Hardwick can't play, the Chargers could use veteran Dennis Norman or rookie Tyronne Green, a fourth-round choice. They are also looking at lists of available veteran centers just in case.

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