Hey, here's a what if:

What if — with the possible return of safety Troy Polamalu in Sunday's game at Miami — the Steelers knock off the Dolphins, somehow snare the final AFC playoff berth and receive new life entering the postseason?

Could they become a serious Super Bowl contender?

It's possible. The idea that the defending Super Bowl champions are still the champions until someone knocks them off — or they don't make the playoffs — rings true, but Polamalu brings a certain energy to this team, one they've definitely been missing for most of the season.

The scenario of the Steelers making a late-season charge and a postseason run sounded far-fetched when I first entertained the idea sometime during the 37-36 victory over Green Bay two Sundays ago.

I'll admit the five-game losing streak Pittsburgh carried into that game, which included defeats to Kansas City, Oakland and Cleveland, had me all but looking ahead to April for a high draft pick.

And when Green Bay took the lead late, I was resigned to the Steelers plummeting from a 6-2 mark to a 6-8 record.

However, when quarterback Ben Roethlisberger rallied the troops for a last-second touchdown and a huge reversal of the Steelers' fortunes, I started to look down the road.

A division matchup against Baltimore was waiting, and the Steelers almost defeated the Ravens Nov. 29 without Polamalu and Roethlisberger.

There was talk Polamalu had a shot to play against the Ravens, but even if he didn't, if the Steelers could pull one out against Baltimore, then most likely they'll have Polamalu back in Miami, which could be just what the Steelers' defense needed.

Well, Pittsburgh did defeat Baltimore, and it looks as though Polamalu might be able to play Sunday.

The Steelers' defense surrendered 175 rushing yards to the Ravens, but the squad came up with three turnovers, something that hasn't happened in quite some time

The embattled defense threw a shutout in the fourth quarter — again, something that hasn't happened in a while — against a very good Baltimore team.

The point is the Steelers are starting to put some of the pieces together at just the right time. They have the experience and the ability for a postseason run, but will they get the chance?

The team has blown six fourth-quarter leads in its seven losses. Polamalu leads the team with three interceptions and he's missed nine full games. He hasn't played since the 18-12 loss to the Bengals Nov. 15.

It would appear the Steelers demise this season came due to the absence of Polamalu. That's been repeated ad nauseam by the network announcers as well as Steelers beat reporters.

But the biggest thing right now is the Steelers are on a two-game winning streak and Polamalu is due to come back.

Timing is everything, but Sunday will decide if the Steelers are a little too late.