NFL playoff picture: How the Steelers can clinch a playoff spot in Week 16

On By Littum

The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off a tough loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and to make matters worse, the other three division leaders and the team that was immediately behind in the division all won in Week 15. With games against two of those teams in four days, the Steelers to right the ship in a hurry.

The Steelers have already clinched a playoff spot, but facing the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16, they can clinch the AFC North.

Steelers AFC North clinching scenarios

It’s pretty simple for the Steelers; win and they win the division and a home game in January. Pittsburgh is 10-4 and a win means they go to 11-4 and can finish no worse than 11-6. They will beat Baltimore to drop them to 9-6, so the best they can finish is 11-6. In the process, Pittsburgh would secure their second win of the season over Baltimore and lock up the tiebreaker.

If Pittsburgh loses, they will remain in the division lead by the slimmest of margins. Their win over the Raiders gives them a 7-3 record against regular opponents, while the Ravens lost to the Raiders and are 7-4.

The Ravens are 6.5-point favorites in their own building, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

The AFC standings begin on Saturday in week 16

1. y-Kansas City Chiefs (13-1)
2. y-Buffalo Bills (11-3)
3. x-Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4)
4. y-Houston Texas (9-5)

5. Baltimore Ravens (9-5, win over DEN)
6. Los Angeles Chargers (9-6, win over DEN)*
7. Denver Broncos (9-6, loss to LAC)*

8. Indianapolis Colts (6-8, 5-5 AFC, win over MIA)*
9. Miami Dolphins (6-8, 5-5 AFC, loss to IND)*
10. Cincinnati Bengals (6-8, 3-6 AFC)*

11. New York Jets (4-10) — eliminated
12. Cleveland Browns (3-11, win over JAX) — eliminated
13. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-11, win over TEN, loss to CLE, win over NE) — eliminated
14. Tennessee Titans (3-11, loss to JAX, win over NE) — eliminated
15. New England Patriots (3-11, losses to JAX & TEN) – eliminated
16. Las Vegas Raiders (2-12) — eliminated