NFL Playoff Scenarios: What Each Team Needs To Get To The Postseason
By Keith Myers
AFC North
| AFC North Team | W | L | T | Remaining Opp. |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 9 | 4 | 1 | Den, Pit |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 9 | 5 | 0 | KC, Cin |
| Baltimore Ravens | 9 | 5 | 0 | Hou, Cle |
The AFC North is the most wide open division in the NFC right now. Three teams are all within a half game of each other, and two of them play in Week 17. Cleveland is actually still mathematically alive for a playoff spot as well, but their only scenario now involves multiple games ending in a tie for them to get into the playoffs.
Since Baltimore doesn’t play either of the other two teams fighting for the division, they create many of the playoff scenarios that are useful for other teams. Baltimore can lose games without generating wins for another contender.
It also means that the Ravens have an easier road than their division rivals. Cincinnati may have a half-game lead right now, but they must still play Denver and Pittsburgh.
The only situation in which a 10-win AFC North team doesn’t get into the playoff is one in which the Bengals beat Denver and lose to the Steelers. Pittsburgh would have to lose to Kansas City. The Chiefs would also have to beat the Chargers.
That would create a scenario where a 10-win Ravens team would miss out on the playoff due to Pittsburgh’s better division record. Other than that scenario, 10 wins appears to be the magic number for any of the NFC North teams vying for a spot in the post season.
Next: AFC East