Here are how the Pittsburgh Steelers can clinch a playoff spot in Week 17 of the NFL season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the most dangerous teams in the NFL right now. With Big Ben Roethlisberger leading a near unstoppable offense with the triple headed monster of Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant and Markus Wheaton and De’Angelo Williams in the backfield, there will be many an AFC team hoping the Steelers don’t sneak into a wildcard position. Pittsburgh is not out of the wildcard race yet, and with some help elsewhere, could slide into the postseason.
The Steelers are battling with the New York Jets to make it to the post season. With the Jets currently sitting at 10-5, a game ahead of the 9-6 Steelers, Pittsburgh must first and foremost take care of business against the lowly Cleveland Browns. It would be a shock to see anything but a win for the Steelers (though the same was supposed to be the case last week), but would not be enough to see them into the postseason.
The Steelers then need a help in hand from Rex Ryan and the Buffalo Bills, against Ryan’s former team the New York Jets. If the Jets lose and Steelers win, Pittsburgh are in the postseason as the No. 6 seed, no matter what happens to the Kansas City Chiefs. The No. 6 seed would likely see the Steelers travel to Cincinnati to take on divisional rivals, the Bengals.
There won’t be many teams who want to see the Steelers in the playoffs ahead of the Jets. With such a high scoring offense, Pittsburgh can score points on any team and would pose a threat to even the best teams in the AFC. However, to even have a shot in January football they need a bit help, but there’s not much that would cheer up Rex Ryan more than spoiling his former team’s play off hopes.