Pittsburgh-Steelers-Mike-Tomlin
May 3, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin oversees drills during Steelers rookie mincamp and orientation at the UPMC Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Home » Blog » AFC playoff picture, Week 16: Steelers are in freefall

AFC playoff picture, Week 16: Steelers are in freefall

Matt Verderame NFL

The AFC playoff picture is a beautiful mess, and the Pittsburgh Steelers might be the biggest variable of them all.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are proof of how quickly things change. Three weeks ago, they were 11-0 and people were debating if they could go undefeated. This morning, Pittsburgh is 11-3 and some would bet it doesn’t win another game.

So where does that leave the AFC playoff picture going into Week 16? Here’s the quick glance followed by phenomenal analysis:

1. Kansas City Chiefs (13-1)
2. Buffalo Bills (11-3)
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3)
4. Tennessee Titans (10-4)
5. Cleveland Browns (10-4)
6. Indianapolis Colts (10-4)
7. Miami Dolphins (9-5)
—
8. Baltimore Ravens (9-5)

Alright, courtesy of the NFL, let’s get into clinching scenarios.

For starters, the Chiefs are essentially the No. 1 seed. They can formally clinch about 10 different ways this weekend, and likely will through strength of victory. However, a loss by Pittsburgh or Buffalo, or a Chiefs win, also does the trick.

Buffalo already won the AFC East and clinch the No. 2 seed by beating the New England Patriots on Monday night, coupled with a loss by Pittsburgh to Indianapolis.

Speaking of the Steelers, a home win over the Colts gives them the AFC North, finally. Pittsburgh can’t move out of the third seed regardless of any outcome this week. The Steelers can also move no higher than the second seed moving forward, as Kansas City is out of their reach.

For the Colts, a win along with a loss from the Dolphins or Ravens clinches a playoff berth. Also, a victory in Pittsburgh along with a Titans loss to the Packers gives them the AFC South lead, with only a home game left against the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars to play.

The Titans have a simple playoff scenario. They win the division with a victory and Colts loss. They also clinch a playoff berth by simply winning, or having a loss from either the Dolphins or Ravens.

In Cleveland, fans are hoping the Browns beat the New York Jets, and then get help from the Ravens, Dolphins or Colts. Any of those combinations means Cleveland is back in the postseason for the first time since 2002.

For the Dolphins, two wins and in. They play in Las Vegas on Saturday before taking on the Bills in Week 17. Miami can’t clinch this week, but retains control of its own destiny.

Finally, the Ravens. Baltimore must win out against the New York Giants and Cincinnati Bengals, and get a loss from either Cleveland, Indianapolis or Miami. Those things happen, and the Ravens are in.

  • 100%