AFC Playoff Picture: Steelers receive help from conference foes

The Steelers handled their business on Saturday, emphatically winning over the Cincinnati Bengals.  But Pittsburgh is far past the point of "Win and you're in." The Steelers desperately needed help from a few AFC foes on Christmas weekend, something that happened indeed: AFC playoff picture if the season ended today: Baltimore Ravens (12-3) – 1st […]

Rob Gregson — NFL News Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Dec 23, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Myles Jack (16) and linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) celebrate a sack by Jack against the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Pittsburgh won 34-11. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Steelers handled their business on Saturday, emphatically winning over the Cincinnati Bengals. 

But Pittsburgh is far past the point of "Win and you're in."

The Steelers desperately needed help from a few AFC foes on Christmas weekend, something that happened indeed:

AFC playoff picture if the season ended today:

  1. Baltimore Ravens (12-3) – 1st AFC North
  2. Miami Dolphins (11-4) – 1st AFC East
  3. Kansas City Chiefs (9-6) – 1st AFC West
  4. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-7) – 1st AFC South
  5. Cleveland Browns (10-5) – Wild Card
  6. Buffalo Bills (9-6) – Wild Card
  7. Indianapolis Colts (8-7) – Wild Card

In the hunt:

The Steelers were fortunate to get losses from both the Colts and Texans, though both of those teams are ahead of Pittsburgh in the standings because they own the head-to-head tiebreaker. 

Will the Steelers make the playoffs?

If the Pittsburgh Steelers were traded on the NYSE, the smart move would have been to sell a long time ago.

A team that once had a nearly 80% chance at making the postseason with a 7-4 record now finds themselves with a 13% chance at making the playoffs after dropping three games in a row, and bouncing back against the Bengals. 

Can Pittsburgh win the AFC North?

The Steelers' hopes for taking back the crown in the AFC North have officially vanished, as for the third year in a row, with Pittsburgh fighting to not finish last, rather than first. 

Related Articles