I am as big an optimistic fan as anybody. We have to be optimistic that a lot of teams will have to lose for us to get in. I think that is asking a lot, but yes, it could happen. The thing that makes me so fatalistic, and the reason for starting this sarcastic thread, is that we have to also win out. I am a student of history, and the history of this season so far, says that it is an optimistic goal right now for both of these things to happen.
Every season my excitement builds with the thought of, "this year we can win it all." But this "win" of ours soured me on that possibility just as much as a "knock out" loss would have.
I hope I am wrong of course.