Fansided

Here’s how the Steelers can clinch the AFC North in Week 15

By Cole Thompson

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 13: Pittsburgh Steelers offense huddles during the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Bills Stadium on December 13, 2020 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 13: Pittsburgh Steelers offense huddles during the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Bills Stadium on December 13, 2020 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

This is the easiest winning formula for the Pittsburgh Steelers all season. 

What has happened to the Pittsburgh Steelers? Once sitting at 11-0, the team has now lost two straight, including one to AFC front-runner Buffalo.

Not only have the Steelers dropped in the race for the conference’s No.1 seed, but does anyone believe in them moving into the final three weeks of the season?

Only time will tell if they return to midyear form ahead of the playoffs come next month.

The good news for Pittsburgh is their postseason hopes remain alive. Thanks to a win by the Kanas City Chiefs, they’ll head back to the action for the first time since 2017. And with their record already in the double-digits, their path to winning the AFC North is clear.

So long as the Steelers defeat the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, they’ll win the division. With Joe Burrow out and the defense missing key players like Geno Atkins in the trenches, this should be an easy victory for the black and yellow squad.

Can the Steelers blow this game?

The Bengals haven’t won a game since Burrow tore his ACL and MCL against the Washington Football Team. Most recently, the offense stumbled against Dallas’ defense, leading to a three-turnover day in a 30-7 loss.

The Steelers must win on Sunday or things become tricky. The Cleveland Browns now sit at 9-4 after falling to the Baltimore Ravens, yet remain the No.5 seed in the AFC. Outside of an early interception to Tyus Bowser, Baker Mayfield was on point in the second half, going 11-of-14 in his final three drives with each ending in a touchdown.

The Indianapolis Colts will take on Pittsburgh in Week 16, entering this weekend as the No.6 seed. Johnathan Taylor is coming off a 151-yard rushing performance while Philip Rivers is having a quietly sound season under center. Meanwhile, this defense is playing its best ball and could cause problems for any opponent if they make the playoffs.

If the Browns lose on Sunday night to the New York Giants, Pittsburgh still clinches the division crown. Outside of that, a loss to the struggling Bengals might not only cost the Steelers the division, but also the respect of others as a legitimate playoff contender.

Next. JuJu Smith-Schuster comments on if he'll stop dancing on logos. dark

Home/Pittsburgh Steelers