PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers backed into the playoffs last week, clinching their fourth postseason berth in the last five years despite losing to the Philadelphia Eagles when both the Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins lost on Sunday. This week, they have a chance to do their clinching on the field, when they visit the Baltimore Ravens with the AFC North and a playoff spot on the line.
The Ravens can also clinch this Sunday. They can’t clinch the division. In fact, the Steelers would still be in first place and control their own destiny, even with a loss.
But the Ravens can clinch a playoff spot of their own with a win over the Steelers, or, just like Pittsburgh last week, with a loss or tie by the Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins.
If the Steelers lose, they will be unable to clinch the AFC North in Week 17.
The Steelers are also still in the hunt for the No. 1 overall seed. They need the Kansas City Chiefs to lose to the Houston Texans, and beat the Ravens on Saturday to remain alive for that slot.
STEELERS IN AFC PLAYOFF PICTURE
1. Kansas City Chiefs 13-1
2. Buffalo Bills 11-3
3. Pittsburgh Steelers 10-4
4. Houston Texans 9-5
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5. Baltimore Ravens 9-5
6. Los Angeles Chargers 9-5
7. Denver Broncos 8-6
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8. Indianapolis Colts 6-8
9. Miami Dolphins 6-8
10. Cincinnati Bengals 6-8
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11. New York Jets 4-10
12. Cleveland Browns 3-11
13. Jacksonville Jaguars 3-11
14. Tennessee Titans 3-11
15. New England Patriots 3-11
16. Las Vegas Raiders 2-12
AFC NORTH STANDINGS
| Overall | AFC North | AFC | Head-to-head | |
| Steelers | 10-3 | 3-1 | 7-2 | BAL 1-0, CIN 1-0, CLE 1-1 |
| Ravens | 8-5 | 2-2 | 5-4 | CIN 2-0, CLE 0-1, PIT 0-1 |
| Bengals | 5-8 | 1-3 | 2-6 | BAL 0-2, CLE 1-0, PIT 0-1 |
| Browns | 3-10 | 2-2 | 3-5 | BAL 1-0, CIN, 0-1, PIT 1-1 |