Steelers: What does the Browns loss mean for Pittsburgh’s playoff outlook?

At some point, the Steelers will have to thank the Baltimore Ravens. 

Who would have thought that the game of the year would come on a Monday night?

The Cleveland Browns entered their own stadium as underdogs to the Baltimore Ravens, but fought until the very end. Unfortunately, one must never give up on Lamar Jackson and everyone should fear the leg of Justin Tucker.

Thanks to a final drive and a game-winning kick, the Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive with a 47-42 victory over Baker Mayfield and the Browns.

https://twitter.com/Ravens/status/1338710275084742657

Now the attention turns to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have a clear-cut path to winning the AFC North. With the Chiefs win over the Miami Dolphins, Ben Roethlisberger and the black and yellow clinched a playoff berth. Now, their path to winning the division has only become more clear.

Next Monday night, the Steelers will take on the likes of Brandon Allen and the Cincinnati Bengals. All they have to do is play decent football for 60 minutes and the AFC North is theirs for the taking. Without the likes of Joe Burrow, it’s looking like they’ll at least have home-field advantage for one game this postseason.

How do the Steelers fare moving forward?

The final three games for Pittsburgh are challenging. Sitting at 11-2, they’re already going to the postseason, but playoff seeding will matter more than ever with the seventh seed now in the mix. However, after the Bengals, the Steelers have games against the Colts and Browns.

Not only would a win give them the division, but it’d keep the Steelers one game ahead of the Buffalo Bills for the second seed and a game behind the Kansas City Chiefs for the top spot in the AFC. On Sunday, the Bills looked to be the better team offensively behind the arm of Josh Allen. Roethlisberger threw two interceptions in a 25-16 loss.

Despite the loss, the Browns are dangerous. Sure, they lost due to a few horrendous plays late, but Mayfield is actually looking the part of a franchise quarterback. He finished the night with 343 passing yards, 23 rushing yards and three total touchdowns.

Pittsburgh needs one win and they’ll be the top team in the AFC North. Although they’re not playing like it, a fast start now gives them a little more breathing room entering Week 15.