Thanks to the New England Patriots, the Pittsburgh Steelers will still be alive for a 2022 NFL playoff berth when they kick off their Week 17 game against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Patriots defeated the Miami Dolphins, 23-14 in Foxborough, Massachusetts in an early game on Sunday, and the Steelers now cannot be eliminated before their Sunday Night Football game against the Ravens. The Steelers also cannot be eliminated this week if they beat Baltimore.
The New England victory moved the Steelers playoff odds to 4%, according to Five Thirty Eight.
Though they cannot be eliminated unless they lose, the Steelers’ playoff hopes largely hinge on the New York Jets losing to the Seattle Seahawks. That game kicks off at 4:05 p.m.
If the Jets lose to the Seahawks, the Steelers playoff chances will move to 7%. If the Jets beat Seattle, the only way the Steelers will be able to make the postseason will be if the Jets and Dolphins tie in Week 18. Five Thirty Eight gives less than a 0.1% chance of that happening.
Beyond Week 17, the Steelers will need to keep winning and keep getting help. If the Jets lose and the Steelers win on Sunday, the Steelers would enter the final week of the regular season needing to beat the Cleveland Browns, have the Jets beat the Dolphins and have the Patriots lose to the Buffalo Bills.
Related: Steelers Playoff Scenarios Entering Week 17