Steelers Schedule 2018: Games With Chargers, Patriots, Saints Could Keep Pittsburgh From Playoff Bye

The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of a few AFC teams that have a realistic chance to earn a bye in the first round of the NFL playoffs. A difficult schedule over the final five weeks, however, could prevent Ben Roethlisberger and Co. from getting a top-two seed.

Heading into Week 13, Pittsburgh is the No.4 seed in the conference with a 7-3-1 record. They are a half-game behind both the Houston Texans and New England Patriots in the standings. The Kansas City Chiefs have the AFC’s best record at 9-2.

Pittsburgh fell out of the No.2 seed with their Week 12 loss to the Denver Broncos on the road. New England and Houston were victorious, while Kansas City had a bye. The majority of the Steelers’ upcoming games will be more difficult than what they faced a few days ago.

On “Sunday Night Football” in Week 13, the Steelers will host the Los Angeles Chargers. Pittsburgh is a 3.5-point favorite, per OddsShark, though defeating L.A. won’t be easy. The Chargers actually have a better record than the Steelers at 8-3, and they are only behind Pittsburgh in the standings because the Chiefs lead the AFC West.

After facing the Chargers, the Steelers have a matchup they should dominate when they visit the Oakland Raiders. Oakland is tied for the NFL’s worst record.

The Raiders are one of two remaining Steelers’ opponents that sit below .500. Pittsburgh hosts the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17. The Bengals have lost Andy Dalton for the season, and they look like one of the league’s worst teams with three straight losses.

Getting to nine wins and into the postseason might not be a problem for Pittsburgh. It’s winning 11 or 12 games for a top-two record in the AFC that seems unlikely.

The Steelers will host the Patriots in Week 15. Despite playing at home, Pittsburgh might be an underdog in that contest. They’ve gone 0-5 against New England in the last five years, including a loss to the Patriots at Heinz Field last December.

When the Steelers visit the New Orleans Saints in Week 16, they will be heavy underdogs. New Orleans has been the league’s best team over their last 10 games, going undefeated and winning five straight by double-digits. The Saints even won by double digits at home against the Los Angeles Rams, who are perfect against the rest of their schedule.

The Baltimore Ravens are the only threat to the Steelers in the AFC North. They are 1.5 games out of first place, though Baltimore faces a difficult schedule of their own.

Pittsburgh won the AFC North last season and earned the No.2 seed with 13 wins. They’ve won at least 10 games in four straight seasons.