The Pittsburgh Steelers are right where the Pittsburgh Steelers usually are — in the thick of the AFC playoff picture.
Despite tempered external expectations, at best, the Steelers are well on their way to yet another winning season under head coach Mike Tomlin. Presuming Pittsburgh qualifies for the postseason in 2024, it’ll mark the 12th time in 18 Tomlin-led seasons.
After their win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11, it’s not a matter of if the Steelers are in the picture — it’s a matter of how prominently they’ll be involved in January and February. Let’s take a closer look at where things stand in the Steel City.
Can the Steelers Make the Playoffs?
After all the action in Week 11, the Pittsburgh Steelers are 8-2 and now have a 93.5% chance to make the playoffs.
They have a 5.6% chance for the 1 seed, a 23.0% chance for the second seed, a 22.2% chance for the third seed, a 2.9% chance for the fourth seed, a 18.2% chance for the fifth seed, a 14.4% chance for the sixth seed, and a 7.3% chance for the seventh seed.
Can the Steelers Win the AFC North?
Here’s what the AFC North race looks like after all the Sunday action in Week 11:
- The Pittsburgh Steelers have a 53.7% chance to win the AFC North.
- The Baltimore Ravens have a 45.9% chance to win the AFC North.
- The Cincinnati Bengals have a 0.4% chance to win the AFC North.
- The Cleveland Browns have a 0.0% chance to win the AFC North.
Current AFC North Standings
- Pittsburgh Steelers (8-2)
- Baltimore Ravens (7-4)
- Cincinnati Bengals (4-7)
- Cleveland Browns (2-8)
Steelers’ Super Bowl Chances After Week 11
Can the Steelers win the Super Bowl? The PFN Playoff Predictor projects that Pittsburgh has a 3.0% chance to win it all.
Steelers’ Remaining Schedule
- Week 12: at Cleveland Browns
- Week 13: at Cincinnati Bengals
- Week 14: vs. Cleveland Browns
- Week 15: at Philadelphia Eagles
- Week 16: at Baltimore Ravens
- Week 17: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
- Week 18: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
What PFN Predicted for the Ravens vs. Steelers Matchup
Pittsburgh’s Week 11 battle with Baltimore marks the Steelers’ first division game in 2024, meaning they’ll have six division games in their final eight weeks — including four straight in Weeks 11-14.
The Steelers enter this week’s matchup boasting the NFL‘s No. 2 scoring defense, giving up only 16.2 points per game. Pittsburgh’s run defense ranks fourth in the league, surrendering just 87.1 yards per game. Tomlin’s group also ranks tied for second with the Chargers in turnover margin at +9.
On offense, Pittsburgh is led by veteran quarterback Russell Wilson, who took over for the younger Justin Fields once he recovered from a calf injury that popped up just before the regular season began. For the season, Wilson is completing just 58.8% of his passes, but he has just one interception compared to six touchdowns with a passer rating of 105.9 (third-best in the NFL).
Baltimore, meanwhile, is led by its offense. Quarterback Lamar Jackson is having an MVP-caliber season once again. The two-time winner of the award currently leads the NFL in passer rating at 123.2, which includes a TD-INT ratio of an astounding 24-2. Jackson also has 538 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
The Ravens have another MVP candidate on the roster, too. Running back Derrick Henry, a free agent signing this past offseason, leads the NFL in rushing yards with 1,120 and rushing touchdowns with 12. He’s brought a level of physicality and a game-breaking dynamic to the running game that balances out Jackson’s influence with great efficiency.
Baltimore’s pass-catching corps is deep and dynamic, and it now includes former Pittsburgh wide receiver Diontae Johnson, who was acquired in a trade with the Carolina Panthers. Johnson left Pittsburgh this past offseason to sign with Carolina in free agency.
As Johnson assimilates into the Ravens’ offense, fellow receivers Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman (81 receptions, seven touchdowns combined) lead the way for the wide receiver corps. Meanwhile, tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely (54 receptions, eight touchdowns combined) contribute as blockers in the running game and as productive members in the passing game.
Pittsburgh is currently listed as a three-point underdog at home to Baltimore, and the game total sits at 48.0.
PFN Prediction: Steelers 24, Ravens 23