After Saturday’s big win over the Cincinnati Bengals, the Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves with a slim 13 percent chance to make the playoffs, according to the New York Times simulator. The Steelers are currently in the No. 9 spot, but there is a path to the playoffs that all starts with the Steelers winning out.
Pittsburgh finishes the season with a pair of brutal road games, first at the Seattle Seahawks and then against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18. One saving grace could be that if the Ravens lock up the No. 1 seed next week, they might rest their starters in that season finale.
Aside from Pittsburgh winning those final two games, one of the following has to happen for the Steelers to make the playoffs:
- The Buffalo Bills must lose one of their final two games. The Bills have the New England Patriots at home in Week 17 and a big road showdown against the Miami Dolphins in Week 18.
- The Jacksonville Jaguars must lose one of their two final games. The Jaguars have the easiest path to the finish with a road game against the Carolina Panthers and the Tennesee Titans at home.
Finally, the Steelers could make the playoffs with two wins but the Cleveland Browns have to lose both of their last two games. The Browns go against the New York Jets at home in Week 17 and travel to take on the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 18.
Of the three scenarios, Buffalo losing to Miami is the most reasonable, but it won’t matter if the Steelers can’t find a way to win out. The downside of all this could be that Pittsburgh wins out and finishes 10-7 only to still miss the playoffs.
