Click here to submit your question

Question: Ed: Let's assume that it all comes down to the Steelers game with the Bengals on December 31st. Assuming the Steelers beat the Bengals and both end the season with the same record, would the Steelers advance if we beat the Bengals by more points than they beat us in Pittsburgh?

Jack Huber, Atlanta

BOUCHETTE: Those are mighty big assumptions, considering other teams also would be involved but let's play this true fantasy football game and assume it happens that way. No, points do not matter. If there are other teams involved, first they would break ties within the division so the Steelers and Bengals would go head-to-head. They would then go to best record within the division, then best record in common games, then best record in conference. If it's still tied after each of those, they would use strength of victory, then strength of schedule. Strength of victory takes into account your opponents' records in victories. Your scenario would not come into place until down the line and then, it's not points in team vs. team but best net points against conference teams and -- if tied after that -- all games.