The Steelers (9-7) have five different ways they may make it into the playoffs, together with one they’ll lose to the Ravens (13-3) in Week 18 and nonetheless get in.
1. Steelers win + Buffalo loss
This feels just like the more than likely state of affairs to play out.
Pittsburgh is sticking with the new hand of QB Mason Rudolph as he has thrown for 564 yards and two touchdowns up to now two weeks. He appears to be the crew’s best choice at quarterback as he has the offense averaging 32 factors per recreation because the starter.
Baltimore, alternatively, has the AFC’s No. 1 seed locked up and will sit its starters on Saturday. Head coach John Harbaugh has but to verify the Ravens’ plans, however it will be stunning if he selected to do in any other case given the crew’s harm historical past.
The Payments (10-6) should then lose to the Dolphins (11-5) on Sunday. Buffalo already defeated Miami 48-20 in Week 4 however this time it should go on the highway in a battle for the AFC East.
2. Steelers win + Jacksonville loss/tie
That is the subsequent more than likely state of affairs wherein a Steelers win is important.
The Jaguars (9-7) go on the highway to face the Titans (5-11) and should do something however win for Pittsburgh to get in. The standing of QB Trevor Lawrence, who suffered a shoulder harm final week, continues to be up within the air as he’ll apply Wednesday on a restricted foundation, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Tennessee might not have something left to play for, however head coach Mike Vrabel appears to have his crew able to upset Jacksonville on Sunday after giving a fiery response on Tuesday.
“It sucks to lose,” Vrabel said. “Dropping. Terrible. That is why I wish to win since you do not sleep. You wish to win for the gamers that bust their tail. That is it.”
3. Steelers win + Indianapolis-Houston ends in tie
The final state of affairs that requires a Steelers win additionally contains the Colts (9-7) and Texans (9-7) tying.
The NFL has but to have a recreation finish in a tie this season and this matchup feels unlikely to finish that means as nicely. Each groups are combating for his or her playoff lives and a tie does not actually assist both. Indianapolis defeated Houston 31-20 in Week 2.
4. Steelers tie + Indianapolis and Houston don’t tie + Jacksonville loss
The Steelers-Ravens recreation might finish in a tie and Pittsburgh might get in as nicely.
The Colts and Texans can’t tie, and the Jaguars should lose to the Titans. Potential, however once more, fairly unlikely.
5. Steelers loss + Indianapolis and Houston don’t tie + Jacksonville loss + Denver win
There’s one state of affairs, nonetheless, the place the Steelers can lose to the Ravens and nonetheless make the postseason. It isn’t too far-fetched both.
The Colts or Texans should win, the Jaguars should lose to the Titans and the Broncos (8-8) would want to defeat the Raiders (7-9).
Denver misplaced to Las Vegas 17-16 in Week 1, however lots has modified since then. The Broncos’ 3-4 away document does not scream confidence however by no means say by no means in a divisional recreation in the course of the remaining week of the common season.