The AFC North picture got a lot clearer on Wednesday, as the Ravens beat the Texans 31-2 and the Chiefs beat the Steelers 29-10.
Entering the day, both Baltimore and Pittsburgh had 10-5 records, but the Steelers owned the tiebreaker between the two. That meant that the Steelers were in the No. 3 seed after 16 weeks, while the Ravens were in the No. 5 seed.
With the win over Houston, the Ravens now have a one-game lead over the Steelers in the division with one week left to play, and they are now projected to host a playoff game. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, is now projected to play on the road in the first round.
Here is where things stand in the AFC North after the first two games of Week 17.
MORE NFL WEEK 17:
AFC playoff picture
| Position | Team | Record |
| 1. | Kansas City Chiefs | 15-1 |
| 2. | Buffalo Bills | 12-3 |
| 3. | Baltimore Ravens | 11-5 |
| 4. | Houston Texans | 9-7 |
| 5. | Pittsburgh Steelers | 10-6 |
| 6. | Los Angeles Chargers | 9-6 |
| 7. | Denver Broncos | 9-6 |
With the Ravens win and Steelers loss, Baltimore and Pittsburgh now switch spots in the AFC standings, as the Ravens now own the No. 3 seed and the Steelers are at No. 5. Additionally, the Chiefs win means they clinch the No. 1 seed, while the Texans loss further cements them as the No. 4 seed.
Baltimore and Pittsburgh can still switch spots next week if the Steelers win and the Ravens lose. Additionally, both Baltimore and Pittsburgh are unlikely to drop any lower than the No. 5 seed.
While the Steelers can’t get any higher than a No. 3 seed, the Ravens could earn the No. 2 seed if they win in Week 18 and the Bills lose to both the Jets and Patriots to end the regular season.
AFC North standings
| Position | Team | Record |
| 1. | Baltimore Ravens | 11-5 |
| 2. | Pittsburgh Steelers | 10-6 |
| 3. | Cincinnati Bengals | 7-8 |
| 4. | Cleveland Browns | 3-12 |
The Ravens’ win over the Texans and the Steelers’ loss to the Chiefs, means Baltimore now takes sole possession of first place in the AFC North despite the Steelers’ owning that spot for most of the season. That means that the Ravens just need to beat the Browns in Week 18 to clinch the division.
However, the Steelers still hold the tiebreaker over the Ravens, so they are still alive for the division title. If Pittsburgh beats the Bengals next week and the Ravens lose to Cleveland, then Pittsburgh clinches the division.
The Bengals are still fighting for a wild-card spot, but they need to beat the Broncos on Saturday to stay alive. If they do so, then Cincinnati will have a chance to earn a playoff spot in Week 18 against the Steelers. The Browns, meanwhile, are eliminated from playoff contention.
Steelers remaining schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time |
| Jan. 5 | vs. Cincinnati Bengals | TBD |
Ravens remaining schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time |
| Jan. 5 | vs. Cleveland Browns | TBD |
