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Steelers Fan Rooting Guide: Who Steelers fans should root for in other games in Week 16

BTSC's guide to the other weekend games that might impact the Steelers the most.

San Diego Chargers v Baltimore Ravens Photo by Matt Hazlett/Getty Images

We are all aware of the significance of winning vs. losing when the Steelers take the field at in New Orleans against the high-flying Saints on Sunday. Of course, the Steelers need to win to win, but other games directly affect them. With only two games remaining, the playoff contenders are down to ten teams. Most of the time, Steelers fans know who to root for. But here’s a guide to significant matchups, and whose losses the Steelers would benefit more from this weekend.

If the season ended today, the Steelers would be the fourth seed in the AFC, but there are plenty of teams to root for in other action. Here are the current AFC playoff standings.

Here are the current AFC playoff standings.

  1. Kansas City Chiefs 11-3 (Would win AFC West and would earn a First Round Bye)
  2. Houston Texans 10-4 (Would win AFC South and earn a First Round Bye)
  3. New England Patriots 9-5 (Would win AFC East and host Wild Card Ravens)
  4. Pittsburgh Steelers 8-5-1 (Would win AFC North and host Wild Card Chargers)
  5. Los Angeles Chargers 11-3 (Would earn Wild Card and travel to Pittsburgh)
  6. Baltimore Ravens 8-6 (Would earn Wild Card and travel to New England)
  7. Indianapolis Colts 8-6
  8. Tennessee Titans 8-6
  9. Miami Dolphins 7-7
  10. Cleveland Browns 6-7-1
  11. X-Denver Broncos 6-8
  12. X-Cincinnati Bengals 6-8
  13. X-Buffalo Bills 5-9
  14. X-Jacksonville Jaguars 4-10
  15. X-New York Jets 4-10
  16. X-Oakland Raiders 3-11

(X) eliminated

.....

Washington Redskins at Tennessee Titans - Saturday 4:30 PM

Pittsburgh still may have to settle for a Wild Card berth. The Titans are WC contenders and their losing would benefit the Steelers.

Who to root for: Washington Redskins

Baltimore Ravens at Los Angeles Chargers Saturday 8:20 PM

This will be a great game. The Chargers have a team-of-destiny look, while the Ravens are in a groove. The Steelers need a Ravens loss for cushion.

Who to root for: Los Angeles Chargers

New York Giants at Indianapolis Colts - Sunday 1:00 PM

Indy is rising. They could be dangerous in the playoffs and that could be a good thing against a few other teams. However, the Steelers are still fighting for the playoffs.

Who to root for: New York Giants

Jacksonville Jaguars at Miami Dolphins - Sunday 1:00 PM

Dolphins lose and will cease to be a WC threat to the Steelers.

Who to root for: Jacksonville

Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots - Sunday 1:00 PM

New England is coming off of two losses and these aren’t the same Patriots. They will most likely go to the playoffs, but losing could drop them fine to the fourth seed.

Who to root for: Buffalo Bills

Houston Texans at Philadelphia Eagles - Sunday 1:00 PM

Long Shot Alert. Should Houston lose-out and Pittsburgh win-out, the Steelers would be the No. 2 seed. However, Houston getting a bye over New England is appealing. Let’s hope for the long shot first.

Who to root for: Philadelphia Eagles

Kansas City Chiefs at Seattle Seahawks - Sunday 8:20 PM

If the Chiefs lose once and the Chargers win-out, KC falls to the fifth seed and could possibly end up in Heinz Field in January. If you would rather face KC over LA, root for Seattle. If not, do the opposite.

Who to root for: Seattle Seahawks

Other AFC Games in Week 16:

Green Bay Packers at New York Jets - Sunday 1:00 PM

Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders- Monday 8:15 PM

Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns - Sunday 1:00 PM