The Pittsburgh Steelers are sitting pretty atop the AFC North entering their Week 14 contest against the Cleveland Browns, with the Baltimore Ravens being the only threat for Pittsburgh’s hopes of winning the division.
And the Ravens have some catching up to do. They are trailing the Steelers by two in the loss column, and Pittsburgh currently owns the head-to-head tiebreaker because of its victory over Baltimore in Week 11.
As a result of all that, the Steelers will hold on to first place through at least Week 15, even if they lose their next two games and the Ravens win coming out of their bye week. However, that scenario would set up a battle for first place in Week 16, when the Steelers and Ravens meet for the final time this regular season.
While the division isn’t likely to be settled until the last week or two of the season, the Steelers have a chance to clinch at least a playoff berth before then. But can the Steelers do so in Week 14? Let’s take a look.
Can Steelers clinch playoff berth in Week 14?
Unfortunately, the Steelers cannot clinch a playoff berth this week, although with the team sitting at 9-3 after 12 games, it’s just a matter of time.
Three teams in the NFL have clinched a playoff berth thus far, a list that includes the Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills. The Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings can clinch a playoff berth this week, but will need help from other teams to do so.
Now back to the Steelers: The New York Times playoff predictor gives the Steelers a 99% chance to make the postseason. Pittsburgh also sports a 63% chance to win the division, but just a 4% chance to get the No. 1 seed.
The Steelers currently trail the 11-1 Chiefs by two games for the top spot in the AFC, and the Bills are also a game ahead of Pittsburgh for the No. 2 spot, so the Steelers have a hill to climb if they want a first-round bye.
MORE PITTSBURGH STEELERS NEWS
Ravens may be scared to cut Diontae Johnson because of Steelers
Steelers vs. Browns final injury report
George Pickens vs. Greg Newsome beef, explained
Read the full article here