The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the Week 15 game against the Philadelphia Eagles not having one a single game in the state in 59 years. Well, that streak continues after the Steelers were beaten by the Eagles in convincing fashion, 27-13, on Sunday.
The Steelers had multiple ways to clinch a playoff berth this week, with the easiest way being a win over the Eagles. However, that specific avenue was closed after the Steelers were beat handily by Philly.
Pittsburgh’s other method to clinch a playoff berth was to get some help from two other teams. The Steelers needed an Indianapolis Colts loss or tie, plus a Miami Dolphins loss or tie.
Well, the Steelers got what they needed. The Dolphins lost to the Houston Texans, 20-12, and the Colts got beaten soundly by the Denver Broncos, 31-13.
While the Steelers have now punched their ticket to the playoffs, they still have work to do in the division. Pittsburgh can seal the deal in the AFC North by beating the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16.
Pittsburgh enters the crucial AFC North showdown a game up on the Ravens, and with the Steelers having beaten Baltimore earlier in the season, another win would wrap up the head-to-head tiebreaker, making it impossible for the Ravens to catch Pittsburgh over the last two games of the season.
If the Steelers lose, that opens the door for Baltimore to win the division. The next tiebreaker divisional record. Pittsburgh enters the game with a better mark there, but the Ravens would even the score with a win.
From there, the next tiebreaker would be record against common opponents, and after that it’s record for games played within the conference. Let’s hope it doesn’t get to all that and the Steelers just wrap things up on Saturday.
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