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Ranking the 5-6 AFC wild-card hopefuls by mojo

The Steelers have outscored opponents 87-48 during their three-game win streak.

The Steelers have outscored opponents 87-48 during their three-game win streak.

Before it fully unfolds and becomes obvious, we're attempting to read and rank the mojo factor among the six AFC teams that enter Week 13 at 5-6, knotted up for the final wild-card slot before tiebreakers are applied. With a nod to Jesse Jackson's calling card line, we'll call them the "Keep Hope Alive Club,'' and assess their likelihood of being part of the festivities when the playoffs open in five-plus weeks.

If only the Jets could be eligible for the NFC playoffs. New York is 3-0 against the NFC South this season, and just 2-6 in the AFC. The Jets have four of their remaining five games against losing teams -- including two facing Miami -- but a Week 15 trip to Carolina looks like a sure loss, and it's tough to find reason to believe that the offense could crack 20 points against anyone it faces in December. Smith has gone four consecutive games without a touchdown pass, and this week's game against visiting Miami shapes up as New York's last stand in what had been a surprising good season until the Jets took their Week 10 bye.