After massive wins over the Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins in back-to-back weeks, the Pittsburgh Steelers are sitting in pole position in the AFC North. However, the job still isn’t finished yet.
Building on that momentum, the Steelers traveled to Detroit in Week 16 to face the Lions, who were fighting for their third straight playoff appearance. The Steelers appeared to have control of this game when they were up 29-17 in the fourth quarter.
The Lions had a chance to win the game on the final play. A Detroit touchdown was nullified by an offensive pass interference penalty that ended the game. With this much-needed 29-24 victory over Detroit, the Steelers solidify their lead in the division and move one step closer to securing a playoff berth.
What Are the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Chances of Making the Playoffs?
Mike Tomlin, Aaron Rodgers, and the 9-6 Steelers are aiming for Pittsburgh’s first division crown since 2020-21. Stacking wins is essential if they plan to achieve that goal. With playoff hopes on the line, every remaining game becomes a must-win.
It’s been an up-and-down season for the Steelers. Entering last offseason, the quarterback was the biggest question. Aaron Rodgers, at 42, has not been elite. His 70.4 PFSN QB Impact grade ranks 28th 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 are heating up at the right time.
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.
Per PFSN’s NFL Playoff Predictor, after the Steelers’ Week 16 win over the Lions, they have a 92.4% chance of making the playoffs and a 92.4% chance of winning the division.
While the Browns and Bengals are already eliminated from playoff contention, the Ravens are still in the hunt. Baltimore currently has a 7.6% chance of winning the AFC North.
With the Ravens’ loss to the Patriots, the Steelers can now clinch the AFC North with a win against the Browns or a Ravens loss to the Packers in Week 16.
Steelers Remaining 2025 Schedule
- Week 17: Steelers at Browns
- Week 18: Ravens at Steelers
After getting through the trip to Detroit with a win, the Steelers also can’t afford to have a letdown against the Browns, who just missed an upset of the Buffalo Bills in Week 16.
Pittsburgh controls its own destiny, but it could still come down to that Week 18 rematch with the Ravens for the AFC North crown and a spot in the playoffs.
