Here's How the Steelers Can Make the Playoffs
By Peter Dewey
UPDATE: The Pittsburgh Steelers are near clinching a playoff spot after beating the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18.
Pittsburgh was helped by the Indianapolis Colts' loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, as it now gets in as long as the Los Angeles Chargers or Las Vegas Raiders win on Sunday Night Football.
So this is easy now. Last two AFC playoff spots are down to three teams—Steelers, Chargers and Raiders. Chargers/Raiders winner and Steelers are in; unless the Chargers and Raiders tie, in which case those two would be in and the Steelers would be out.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 9, 2022
SNF will be interesting.
What follows were the potential paths for Pittsburgh to make the playoffs prior to Week 18's action.
The Pittsburgh Steelers kept their playoff hopes alive on Monday Night Football with a win over the Cleveland Browns in what may be Ben Roethlisberger’s final home game with the team.
The AFC playoff race still has several teams in the running, but there are some crazy scenarios that need to happen for the Baltimore Ravens and Steelers to make it into the playoffs this season.
Pittsburgh’s scenario is a little bit easier than the Ravens, as it needs to win in Week 18 at Baltimore and get some help from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Steelers remain alive for the playoffs, but they need the following:
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) January 4, 2022
1. Steelers beat Ravens
2. Jaguars beat Colts
3. No tie between Chargers/Raiders
Pittsburgh’s tie against the Detroit Lions certainly is hurting them at this point in the season, as instead of being 9-7, the Steelers sit at 8-7-1 entering Week 18.
What Are the Odds the Steelers Make the Playoffs?
WynnBET has taken down the line for the Steelers-Ravens game following Monday Night Football, but it had opened at Ravens -3.5.
The Steelers would have to pick up the win on the road as an underdog, and they’d be relying on the Jaguars, who are 15-point underdogs and +700 on the moneyline to upset the Indianapolis Colts in Week 18.
This is less than an ideal scenario for Pittsburgh, but if the Chiefs lay an egg in Week 18, the Steelers need a win to keep themselves alive.
Najee Harris had a major game in Week 17 against the Browns, and Mike Tomlin is 31-21-1 as a road underdog against the spread in his career. It’s going to take more than just covering for Pittsburgh to have a chance at a playoff spot, but the Jaguars are the bigger long shot to their chances in Week 18.