Pittsburgh Steelers Need Help To Make Playoffs, Baltimore Ravens Control AFC North In Week 17

The Pittsburgh Steelers no longer control their own fate. After losing to the New Orleans Saints 31-28, the defending AFC North champions will need to get some help in Week 17.

Pittsburgh trails the Baltimore Ravens by a half-game in the division. They are also a half-game behind the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans in the race for the AFC’s final wild-card spot.

If the Steelers lose Sunday, their season will be over. Pittsburgh needs to win at home against the Cincinnati Bengals in order to keep their playoff hopes alive.

A Steelers’ win and a Ravens’ loss is Pittsburgh’s only route to the AFC North championship. Baltimore will host the Cleveland Browns in the season finale.

Cleveland did defeat Baltimore at home earlier this season. Pittsburgh won in Cincinnati on Oct. 14, and the Bengals have just one victory in their last seven games.

It’s technically possible for the Steelers to earn a wild-card berth, though that almost certainly won’t happen. If Baltimore and Pittsburgh both win, the Steelers can get the AFC’s No.6 seed if the Colts and Titans play to a tie. Indianapolis and Tennessee will meet on “Sunday Night Football.”

The Steelers have played in one of the NFL’s two ties in 2018, though both ties came in the first two weeks of the season.

It looked like Pittsburgh was going to cruise to a division title when they entered Week 12 with a 7-2-1 record. The Steelers have since lost four out of five games, only beating the New England Patriots during that span. Three of their last four contests have come against playoff teams.

The Ravens upset the Los Angeles Chargers Saturday. Baltimore has gone 5-1 since Lamar Jackson took over the starting quarterback role from Joe Flacco.

Pittsburgh has won two straight AFC North titles. They haven’t missed the playoffs since the 2013 season.

Baltimore last won the AFC North in 2012 when they went on to win the Super Bowl. The Ravens have just one postseason appearance in the last four years.