The Steelers’ playoffs chances are still on shaky ground, but they are back in the playoff picture for now. With the 34-14 loss for the Indianapolis Colts against the Cincinnati Bengals and Houston’s 30-6 loss to the New York Jets and Zach Wilson, the Steelers have shot up to the sixth seed in the AFC. But that does not mean projections are good. The New York Times gives them just a 26 percent chance of making the dance, while ESPN’s model gives them a 34 percent chance.
Pittsburgh can not move higher or lower this week, and will be locked into that spot heading into their Saturday clash against the Indianapolis Colts. Their next two games against the Colts and Bengals will likely decide their playoff fate. But if they can win both, they will likely have to snag just one of their last two games against Seattle and Baltimore to get into the playoffs.
So, the Steelers’ playoffs chances remain tenuous just by their own doing. But they have fallen behind the Cleveland Browns, who won 31-27 against the Jacksonville Jaguars to catapult up to the fifth seed. With the Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills both win, Cincinnati fell back to the tenth seed. Pittsburgh, however, still owns tiebreakers over both of those teams. Six different teams are at 7-6 in the AFC playoff picture.
With the Ravens knocking off the Rams, they hold the top seed in the AFC at 10-3 and seem likely to win the AFC North despite the conglomeration of teams etched at that spot. The Steelers playoff spot will largely hinge on the next two weeks and how much help they can get from other teams.
Of course, the Steelers have to take care of their own business before looking at how the rest of the cookie crumbles. Most models have them at such a low percentage because they are not projected to win those games. Pittsburgh must pull out both games. the next two weeks. The standings right now look like this:
1. Baltimore Ravens (10-3)
2. Miami Dolphins (9-3)
3. Kansas City Chiefs (8-5)
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-5)
5. Cleveland Browns (8-5)
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6)
7. Indianapolis Colts (7-6)
8. Houston Texans (7-6)
9. Denver Broncos (7-6)
10. Cincinnati Bengals (7-6)
11. Buffalo Bills (7-6)