Playoff Picture: Steelers No Longer Control Destiny for AFC North Title
With the Baltimore Ravens routing the Houston Texans, 31-2, on Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers no longer control their own destiny for the AFC North title. Baltimore will be the AFC North champions if they take care of business against the Cleveland Browns in the regular-season finale.
The Steelers held a two-game lead in the AFC North before dropping the last three games. The Steelers were out-scored 90-40 in their losses to the Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs.
Pittsburgh has already clinched a playoff spot, but they’re limping into the postseason. If Baltimore wins out, the Steelers will travel to Houston in the Wild Card Round. That’s if they beat Cincinnati in the regular-season finale, however. If the Steelers fall to Cincinnati, they’ll head to Baltimore or Buffalo for a first-round playoff game.
If the Ravens lose to the Texans, the Steelers could clinch the AFC North with a win over the Bengals in Week 18.
The Chiefs locked up the No. 1 seed with Wednesday’s 29-10 win over the Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. The road to Super Bowl LIX in the AFC will go through Kansas City.
Three-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes threw 38 times, completing 29 for 320 yards and three touchdowns. The Steelers did not sack him, they barely pressured him, and when they blitzed him, it only seemed to make things easier for the two-time MVP.
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STEELERS IN AFC PLAYOFF PICTURE
1. Kansas City Chiefs 15-1
2. Buffalo Bills 12-3
3. Baltimore Ravens 11-5
4. Houston Texans 9-7
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5. Pittsburgh Steelers 10-6
6. Los Angeles Chargers 9-6
7. Denver Broncos 9-6
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8. Indianapolis Colts 7-8
9. Miami Dolphins 7-8
10. Cincinnati Bengals 7-8
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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
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