PITTSBURGH — Remember the Ryan Succop malfunction?
I'm guessing you do, and even if the memory is not pleasant, it provides a kernel of hope. It lends credence to the idea that the pathetic Jacksonville Jaguars — a 15 1/2-point underdog, at last check — can upset the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, even if Jaguars fans follow through on a plan to show up dressed as clowns (more on that, and Succop, in a minute).
As you've probably heard, the Steelers' playoff hopes rest on them winning at Baltimore and the Jags beating the Colts. The first part, while no cinch, seems infinitely more doable than the second. But the second part is doable.
As Mike Tomlin said Tuesday, "I'm capable of talking myself into anything."
Honestly, it's the NFL. The Jets beat the Titans and Bengals. The Lions beat the Cardinals. The Jaguars beat the Bills. Stuff just happens. The Steelers were 10-point favorites against Ryan Mallett in a huge game in 2015 and lost.
Nothing is really that surprising in this league.
Then again, the Jaguars have won just two of their first 16 games, have lost eight in a row, have somehow gotten worse since Urban Meyer left, have lost 10 straight within their division, can clinch the No. 1 pick with a loss, and are coming off a 50-10 loss to New England.
Things are so bad in Jacksonville that the fans have literally become clowns. I kid you not. The Associated Press reports that the Jaguars will have "potentially thousands of clown-clad fans in the stands" Sunday.
Back to the AP story: "Frustrated fans are revolting. Hundreds, if not thousands, have changed their social media profile pics to a clown donning (owner Shad) Khan's signature mustache. And they've started replying to every Jaguars post or live feed with countless clown emojis. Next up: They're planning to don clown costumes — red rubber noses, face paint and colorful wigs, at the very least — when the Jaguars (2-14) host Indianapolis (9-7) at TIAA Bank Field on Sunday."
I'm sorry. Did you say red rubber noses, face paint and colorful wigs "at the very least?" What else could these people possibly have planned?
Apparently, Jags fans want Khan to fire GM Trent Baalke, who was somehow retained when Meyer was fired.
Since that day, the Jags are 0-3, have lost to the Texans and Jets and have been outscored 106-47. So things aren't going especially well. A win would mark one of the biggest upsets in the NFL since 1990 — but that's where Succop comes in.
Flash back to the final week of the 2013 season. The Steelers needed the Chiefs to beat the Chargers in order to make the playoffs. Kansas City coach Andy Reid was sitting most of his good players, which made his team a 16 1/2-point underdog.
So of course, the Chiefs made a run. They would have won, too, if Succop hadn't missed a 41-yard field goal at the end of regulation.
Four reasons the Jags can win:
— They already pulled a bigger upset, this season, on the very same field, beating the Bills 9-6 as a 16 1/2-point underdog. They also beat the Dolphins and lost to the Bengals by a field goal at the buzzer. Yes, they have lost key players since then — notably all of their running backs — but those are facts.
— Indianapolis hasn't won at Jacksonville since 2014. I know: Stadiums don't beat people; people beat people. But sometimes teams just have trouble at certain venues. Think of the Steelers in Oakland.
— The Jags nearly beat the Colts in Week 10 before losing 23-17. This seems most pertinent. A 10-point underdog, the Jags outgained the Colts 331-295 and were driving near the end when Trevor Lawrence fumbled near midfield. Why would a simple repeat of that performance constitute the Miracle on Ice?
— The quarterbacks. For all his struggles, Lawrence remains wildly talented and capable of finishing with a performance like the one he had against Miami, when he went 25 for 41 for 319 yards and no interceptions. Meanwhile, Colts quarterback Carson Wentz has been shaky at times lately, leaving his team to depend almost entirely on stud running back Jonathan Taylor (which isn't necessarily a bad thing).
As for Succop, he made less than 80% of his field goal attempts in 2013 but went on to earn millions. He won a Super Bowl with the Bucs last season and might win another.
Strange things happen in the NFL.
Send in the clowns.
