Who will end up with the AFC's No. 1 seed?

Mark Malone

Pittsburgh Steelers How crazy would that be? With an 0-2 start, everyone was beginning to write the Steelers off. Now, they're playing well and possibly in a position to have the No. 1 playoff seed in the conference. Tommy Maddox gives them what they need in a quarterback and they've got proven depth at running back. And once Jerome Bettis is healthy, we should see a running back by committee situation, which will also be beneficial. The Steelers are playing good defense in a weak division (the AFC North is second only to the South in terms of weakness), and their remaining schedule matches them up against only two teams with winning records. The AFC West and East will most likely beat up on each other to a certain extent, which leaves Pittsburgh in the best position.

Joe Theismann

Oakland Raiders Even though the Raiders are 5-4 and in second place behind Denver and San Diego in the AFC West, they could be 7-2, which would have given them the best record in the conference. Two of the four consecutive losses they suffered came in overtime. And when they lost, they didn't lose ugly. After Monday's game, the Raiders seem to be back on the right track.

Andrea Kremer

Pittsburgh Steelers Even though the Steelers don't have the AFC's best record, they have the gentlest -- I didn't say easiest -- remaining schedule: at Tennessee, vs. Cincinnati, at Jacksonville, vs. Houston, vs. Carolina, at Tampa Bay, and vs. Baltimore. Three of the four final games are at home, and Bill Cowher's team is not usually one that lets down against inferior competition. Plus, the closer they get to the end, the more they will reflect on what happened last season, when they felt they were robbed of a shot at the Super Bowl.

Mark Schlereth

Pittsburgh Steelers Tommy Maddox is managing the team well. The Steelers have a solid replacement for Jerome Bettis in Amos Zereoue. The offensive line has gone through some injuries. They also started a rookie, guard Kendall Simmons, who is now playing well. The Steelers have rectified some of the situations they struggled with earlier in the season. They have Kendrell Bell back on a defense that is playing much better. I see the Steelers continuing to gain momentum and confidence.

Sean Salisbury

Denver Broncos The Broncos are the AFC's most complete team. But when the Broncos lose, they get beat up. They are a front-running team; the key for them is getting an early lead. When they do, they can utilize Clinton Portis and get their run game going, which means their defense can play more aggressively. When the Broncos fall behind, Brian Griese has to throw the ball too much and their defense becomes passive. If the Broncos can get out early and control the game, they'll be the home team throughout the playoffs.

Mike Golic

Pittsburgh Steelers I picked Pittsburgh at the beginning of the year. If the Steelers play their game, they can certainly be the top seed. There are one of three teams in the West to choose from. And we will have to see how Miami does once Jay Fiedler gets back. He made the Dolphins more balanced. I would still pick Pittsburgh.

Merril Hoge

Pittsburgh Steelers The Steelers don't play in the toughest division in football. They still have games against Cincinnati and Baltimore. But aside from the schedule, they have the best offense in football. Their defense made mistakes against Atlanta, but it is gradually shaping into form as one of the league's best. The Steelers have the ability to control their own destiny for the rest of the regular season.