After three straight wins over the Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins, and Detroit Lions, the Pittsburgh Steelers entered Week 17 sitting in pole position in the AFC North. However, a shocking loss to the Cleveland Browns threw a wrench into Pittsburgh’s plans to clinch the division crown.
The loss significantly decreased the Steelers’ chances of claiming the AFC North title and reaching the postseason, setting up a winner-take-all matchup against the Baltimore Ravens in the regular season finale.
What Are the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Chances of Making the Playoffs?
It has been a down year for the AFC North, which has been one of the best divisions in the NFL in recent years. However, division winners get automatic playoff bids, so the race between the Steelers and the Ravens is one to watch as we head into the final week of the regular season.
Mike Tomlin, Aaron Rodgers, and the 9-7 Steelers are aiming for Pittsburgh’s first division crown since 2020-21. That outcome was inching closer to a reality, as all they needed to do was beat the Browns to win the AFC North. However, Pittsburgh must wait one more week for another opportunity to get it done.
It’s been an up-and-down season for the Steelers. Entering this past offseason, addressing the quarterback position was the top priority. Rodgers, at 42, has not been elite. His 72.5 PFSN QB Impact grade entering Week 17 ranked 25th of 44 qualified NFL quarterbacks. Still, his veteran presence has kept Pittsburgh competitive.
Tomlin’s group had struggled to string wins together. However, with three consecutive victories over the Ravens, Dolphins, and Lions, the Steelers were heating up at the right time, before this week’s letdown.
Despite never finishing below .500 under Tomlin, Pittsburgh hasn’t reached the Super Bowl since 2010. That drought raises questions, but as long as they’re in, anything’s possible in a wide-open AFC.
With Steelers’ loss and the Ravens’ win over the Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh will now face Baltimore for the division and the last spot in the AFC playoff bracket in Week 18
According to PFSN’s NFL Playoff Predictor, the Steelers have a 52.8% chance of winning the AFC North and making the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Ravens have a 47.2% chance of getting into the dance. The Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns are already eliminated from playoff contention.
For Pittsburgh, the path to the playoffs is simple. If the Steelers beat the Ravens for the second time this season, they will clinch the division title and secure their spot in the playoffs. If Pittsburgh loses, Baltimore punches its ticket.
Pittsburgh will still be without star wide receiver DK Metcalf, who has been suspended for the remainder of the regular season after an altercation with a Lions fan during the team’s Week 16 victory.
Steelers Remaining 2025 Schedule
- Week 18: Ravens at Steelers
After getting through the trip to Detroit with a win, the Steelers couldn’t afford to have a letdown against the Browns, who just missed an upset of the Buffalo Bills in Week 16. But that’s exactly what happened.
Pittsburgh missed having a big-play threat like Metcalf against Cleveland, and it likely will against Baltimore. Still, the Steelers control their own destiny in a high-stakes matchup versus their heated rivals.
