Ryan Clark believes Pittsburgh Steelers can still make playoffs with weak schedule

The Pittsburgh Steelers are off to an 0-4 start to the 2013 season, which has already resulted in a number of fans throwing in the Terrible Towel. Defensive back Ryan Clark has not given up hope, if for no other reason than his team’s remaining difficulty of schedule.

“I just believe we can win. That’s just the bottom line,” Clark said on Tuesday, via Alan Robinson of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “I think we have the people in this room, the coaches (to win). Also, looking at our schedule, we’re not playing world beaters, we’re not playing gods. We’re playing men.”

There’s some truth behind Clark’s optimism. Despite the fact that the Steelers have yet to win a game, they are only 2.5 games behind in the AFC North with 12 games left to play. The Cleveland Browns are probably not as good as their 3-2 record indicates and the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens have shown plenty of flaws.

“We’re playing football teams that have vulnerabilities and teams I think we can beat,” Clark added. “That’s five division opponents left, so it’s in our own hands. I think we can win those games, and I think we will.”

In addition to their divisional games, the Steelers have games remaining against the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders and Miami Dolphins. All are certainly beatable, but Pittsburgh needs to get on the board.

“It takes one to even talk about the playoffs,” Clark said. “So we need to win (Sunday at the Jets) to get this record to 1-4. Then we come back and regroup and forget you won that game and win the next one.”

As Around the League’s Kevin Patra pointed out, the Steelers now have a 1.2% chance of making the playoffs because of their 0-4 start. Clark has no choice but to remain optimistic, although his thoughts would make more sense if Pittsburgh looked like a team that is much better than its 0-4 record indicates. It does not.