NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, acting as juror, judge and executor, sentenced Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to a six game suspension without pay for violating the NFL personal conduct policy. Roethisberger was also ordered to undergo a behavioral evaluation.

Goodell handed down the decision after a 20 year-old college student accused Roethlisberger of sexually assualting her in a Georgia nightclub back in March. Ben was suspended even though Georgia prosecutors decided not to charge Roethlisberger for sexual assualt.

Goodell, in a letter sent to the former 2-time Super Bowl champ said, “I recognize that the allegations in Georgia were disputed and that they did not result in criminal charges being filed against you,”

“My decision today is not based on a finding that you violated Georgia law, or on a conclusion that differs from that of the local prosecutor. That said, you are held to a higher standard as an NFL player, and there is nothing about your conduct in Milledgeville that can remotely be described as admirable, responsible, or consistent with either the values of the league or the expectations of our fans.”

As part of the suspension, Roethlisberger must undergo a behavioral evaluation by medical professionals before he can participate or attend any team off-season activities.

Goodell left open the possibility that he could reduce the suspension from 6 games to 4. The Steeler QB could lose close to $3 million in salary if he sits out 6 games.

Many in the NFL expressed shock at the length of the suspension, given he was not charged with a crime. However, this is not the first time Ben Roethlisberger has been accused of improrieties. Back in the summer of 2008, a woman named Andrea McNulty in Nevada accused Roethlisbeger of sexual assault.

Will the suspension of Ben Roethlisberger mean the Steelers won’t make the NFL playoffs in 2010? Not necessarily, especially if the sentence is reduced to 4 games. The Steelers are scheduled with a bye in NFL Week 5, allowing the Steelers to give Roethlisberger all the reps to get ready for NFL Week 6. Here is Steelers schedule for the first six games in 2010.

Sunday, September 12 - Atlanta Falcons - Home
Sunday, September 19 - Tennessee Titans - Away
Sunday, September 26 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Away
Sunday, October 3 - Baltimore Ravens - Home
Sunday, October 10 - BYE
Sunday, October 17 - Cleveland Browns - Home
Sunday, October 24 - Miami Dolphins - Home

source: foxsports.com, espn

There are two things we can be assured of: it’s the beginning of a new decade and the final week of the NFL regular season.

What we can’ be assured of is what teams will make the AFC playoffs; and the AFC playoff scenarios have seemingly endless possibilities.

What we do know is that four teams have clinched an AFC playoff spot: the Colts, Patriots, Bengals and Chargers. Six other teams are vying for the final two AFC playoff spots: the Jets, Ravens, Steelers, Texans, Jaguars and Dolphins.

Here are the AFC playoff scenarios for week 16 of the NFL football season:

Indianapolis Colts (14-0)
Clinched the AFC South and homefield advantage throughout the AFC playoffs

San Diego Chargers
Clinched the AFC South and first round bye

Cincinnati Bengals (10-5)
Clinched the AFC North

New England Patriots (10-5)
Clinched the AFC East

New York Jets (8-7)
Clinch a playoff spot with a win

Baltimore Ravens (8-7)
Clinch a playoff spot with a win

Denver Broncos (8-7)
Clinch a playoff spot with:
win and New York loss or tie and Baltimore loss or tie OR
win and New York loss or tie and Pittsburgh loss or tie OR
win and New York loss or tie and Houston win OR
win and Baltimore loss or tie and Pittsburgh loss or tie OR
win and Baltimore loss or tie and Houston win OR
Pittsburgh loss and Baltimore loss and Houston loss and Jacksonville loss OR
Pittsburgh loss and Baltimore loss and Jacksonville loss and New York loss OR
Pittsburgh loss and Houston loss and Jacksonville loss and New York loss OR
New York loss and Baltimore loss and Houston loss and Jacksonville loss or tie

Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7)
Clinch a playoff spot with:
win and Houston loss or tie and New York loss or tie Or
win and Houston lossor tie and Baltimore loss or tie OR
win and New York loss or tie and Baltimore loss or tie and Denver loss or tie

Houston Texans (8-7)
Clinch a playoff spot with:
win and New York loss or tie and Baltimore loss or tie OR
win and New York loss or tie and Denver loss or tie OR
win and Baltimore loss or tie and Denver loss or tie

Jacksonville Jaguars (7-8)
Clinch a playoff spot with:
win and Pittsburgh loss and Baltimore loss and Denver loss and Houston loss OR
win and Pittsburgh loss and Baltimore loss and Denver loss and New York loss OR
win and Pittsburgh loss and Baltimore loss and Houston loss and New York loss OR
win and Pittsburgh loss and Denver loss and Houston loss and New York loss OR
win and New York loss and Denver loss and Houston loss and Baltimore loss

Miami Dolphins
Clinch a playoff spot with:
win and New York loss and Baltimore loss and Houston loss and Jacskonville loss or tie

Additional Note: To make things even more complicated: New York, Baltimore,Denver, Pittsburgh and Houston can also make the playoffs if they tie in combination with various other results. But Jacksonville and Miami cannot make the playoff with a tie.

It will be interesting watching the NFL analysts go through these scenarios over and over as the day goes bye. But one thing we can be assured of, the AFC playoff scenarios will be cast in stone by 9:00 pm ET tomorrow night.

sources: nfl.com, espn.com foxsports, New York Daily News