Steelers Get Playoff Boost with Broncos Loss

The Steelers playoff hopes got a slight boost on Sunday night as the Denver Broncos lost to the New England Patriots. The New York Times‘ playoff simulator has them sitting at a 13 percent chance to make the playoffs now, and while that is not much, it is an increase from where it was to start the day, in the single digits. With a bit more help on Monday, that percentage can nudge up a little bit more, too.

The Indianapolis Colts, one week after drubbing the Steelers put to their postseason hopes on thin ice, opened the door right back up on Sunday with a 29-10 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. In addition, the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans lost. That means all of those teams sit at 8-7, but Pittsburgh is still behind them.

So, the Steelers playoff odds did improve. That leaves the Steelers as the No. 9 seed, third of the four clubs in the four-way tie at 8-7. The Steelers will likely need to win out and get some additional help to make the playoffs. There are some elaborate tie-breakers that could help them get in at 9-8, but again, the best way to get in is just to win out.

AFC PLAYOFF PICTURE

1 Baltimore Ravens 11-3
2 Miami Dolphins 11-4
3 Kansas City Chiefs 9-5
4 Jacksonville Jaguars 8-7
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5 Cleveland Browns 10-5
6 Buffalo Bills 9-6
7 Indianapolis Colts 8-7
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8 Houston Texans 8-7
9 Pittsburgh Steelers 8-7
10 Cincinnati Bengals 8-7
11 Denver Broncos 7-8
12 Las Vegas Raiders 6-8
13 Los Angeles Chargers 5-10
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14 Tennessee Titans 5-10
15 New York Jets 5-10
16 New England Patriots 4-11