The Steelers have been treading lightly in the AFC, despite being decimated by injuries. Eight starters have already missed at least three games this season, chief among them Ben Roethlisberger.

Kordell Stewart Wants Money For Being Called Gay

Le'Veon Bell -- who was already forced to miss the first two weeks due to suspension -- is out for the year with an MCL tear. For most teams, it would prove to be an insurmountable injury.

Just don't tell Antwon Blake. Not only does the CB foresee a playoff push, he sees a 12-4 finish.

DeAngelo Williams Doesn't Hate Women Like The NFL Does

"I can't see why we can't go undefeated the rest of the way out," he said, per ESPN.

We can.

Start with the Raiders. The pride of Oakland is a surprising 4-3 after Sunday's 34-20 win over the Jets. Derek Carr is proving to be the best selection of the 2013 draft -- boasting 15 TDs to just three INTs -- and Amari Cooper will test Blake and company in the secondary.

The competition doesn't soften after Week 9, either.

Trips to Seattle, Cincinnati and Baltimore are on the horizon. A visit from the Broncos on Dec. 20 has the potential of being a fatal one, dropping Pittsburgh to nine losses.

Fortunately for the Steelers, 7-9 might still be enough to clinch a playoff berth in AFC. Only five of the 16 teams are currently above .500, but it's still not a gamble worth taking.

For more content, follow us on Twitter @SportsWN or LIKE US on Facebook