The Steelers’ path to clinching the AFC North continues to get more difficult after Pittsburgh’s 34-17 loss Saturday to their division rival Ravens in Week 16 and a 29-10 loss to the Chiefs on Christmas Day.
The latest loss on Wednesday means the Steelers are no longer in pole position in the division, as they fell to 10-6. Pittsburgh entered the day tied with Baltimore atop of the division with one week left in the regular season.
The Ravens blew out the Texans in the second game of Wednesday’s doubleheader, meaning that Pittsburgh officially no longer controls its own destiny in the division.
Let’s see what needs to happen for the Steelers to clinch the AFC North.
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Steelers playoff picture
The good news? The Steelers have already clinched a spot in the postseason. Pittsburgh punched its ticket in Week 15 after the Dolphins and Texans both lost their games.
But thanks to three-straight losses, where exactly the Steelers will be seeded is still up in the air. Pittsburgh can still win the AFC North, but it needs a few things to happen.
POWER RANKINGS: Lions, Vikings rise; Eagles, Steelers take a fall
Steelers clinching scenarios
The Steelers can clinch the AFC North with:
- A win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 18 AND
- A Baltimore Ravens loss to Cleveland in Week 18.
Pittsburgh has to beat Cincinnati in the final regular season game of the season to have a chance at winning the division. If Baltimore beats Cleveland, it doesn’t matter what happens to the Steelers, the Ravens will win the AFC North. If the Ravens lose in Week 18 and the Steelers win, Pittsburgh would win the tiebreaker. The Steelers would have a better divisional record, and would be the No. 3 seed behind Kansas City and Buffalo.
MORE: How Ravens’ win over Steelers impacts 2024 playoff picture
Steelers remaining schedule
|
Week |
Opponent |
Opponent Record |
|
18 |
Vs. Bengals |
7-8 |
The Steelers will play a tough Bengals team to end the season, and Cincinnati could have something to play for. If the Bengals beat the Broncos on Saturday, then Cincinnati would be alive in the playoff race entering the final week.
Pittsburgh’s game against the Bengals appears that it will be pretty close, as ESPN gives the Steelers a 53.6% chance to beat Cincinnati.
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