There’s a silver lining for the Pittsburgh Steelers despite their disappointing defeat in Philadelphia.
With the Indianapolis Colts’ 31-13 loss at Denver, the Steelers clinched a playoff berth. The Miami Dolphins’ earlier loss at Houston helped, as well.
During that Colts’ setback, a 41-yard Jonathan Taylor rushing touchdown was wiped away by him dropping the ball just short of the goal-line. Indianapolis was outscored 24-0 in the second half of that decision.
Indianapolis dropped to 6-8 on the year and also handed the Houston Texans the AFC South division crown. The Steelers and Texans join the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs — both division winners — as AFC teams that are sure to be in the postseason.
The Steelers (10-4) could’ve locked up a playoff spot by beating the Eagles, but the task of winning in Philly was just tall as the past 10 times Pittsburgh visited. The Eagles have switched stadiums twice since the Steelers last won in Philadelphia.
Now the Steelers’ attention turns to Baltimore (9-5), which they’ll visit on Saturday. Pittsburgh got past the Ravens last month, helping it climb to the AFC North perch. The Steelers’ lead in the standings was shaved to one game after Baltimore’s 35-14 win at the New York Giants. Lamar Jackson had more passing touchdowns (5) than incompletions (4) in that one.
Obviously, the outcome of next week’s clash will play a huge part in helping decide Pittsburgh’s playoff seeding. The Steelers haven’t played a home game in the postseason since 2020. They haven’t won a playoff contest at Acrisure Stadium since a 30-12 win over Miami in 2016.