The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2019 season is 10 games old, and they sit squarely on the .500 mark heading into a Week 12 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals. With only six games remaining on the team’s schedule, it is now we start to take a look at the AFC Playoff Picture, and what might need to take place for the black-and-gold to get into the postseason.
Heading into Week 11, and coming off four straight wins, the Steelers were in sole possession of the sixth seed in the AFC Playoff Picture. Then the Browns game on Thursday Night Football happened. Following the loss the Steelers will not just have to take care of their own business on a weekly basis, but also hope for some help around the league.
Let’s take a look at where things sit heading into Week 12:
AFC Playoff Picture — Week 12
1. New England Patriots (9-1) REMAINING OPPONENTS: vs. Cowboys (6-4), at Texans (6-4), vs. Chiefs (7-4), at Bengals (0-10), vs. Bills (7-3), vs. Dolphins (2-8)
2. Baltimore Ravens (8-2) REMAINING OPPONENTS: at Rams (6-4), vs. 49ers (9-1), at Bills (7-3), vs. Jets (3-7), at Browns (4-6), vs. Steelers (5-5)
3. Houston Texans (7-4) REMAINING OPPONENTS: vs. Patriots (9-1), vs. Broncos (3-7), at Titans (5-5), at Buccaneers (3-7), vs. Titans (5-5)
4. Kansas City Chiefs (7-4) REMAINING OPPONENTS: vs. Raiders (6-4), at Patriots (9-1), vs. Broncos (3-7), at Bears (4-6), vs. Chargers (4-7)
5. Buffalo Bills (7-3) REMAINING OPPONENTS: vs. Broncos (3-7), at Cowboys (6-4), vs. Ravens (8-2), at Steelers (5-5), at Patriots (9-1), vs. Jets (3-7)
6. Oakland Raiders (6-4) REMAINING OPPONENTS: at Jets (3-7), at Chiefs (7-4), vs. Titans (5-5), vs. Jaguars (4-6), at Chargers (4-7), at Broncos (3-7)
In the Hunt:
7. Indianapolis Colts (6-5) REMAINING OPPONENTS: vs. Titans (5-5), at Buccaneers (3-7), at Saints (8-2), vs. Panthers (5-5), at Jaguars (4-6)
8. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-5) REMAINING OPPONENTS: at Bengals (0-10), vs. Browns (4-6), at Cardinals (3-7-1), vs. Bills (7-3), at Jets (3-7), at Ravens (8-2)
9. Tennessee Titans (5-5) REMAINING OPPONENTS: vs. Jaguars (4-6), at Colts (6-4), at Raiders (6-4), vs. Texans (6-4), vs. Saints (8-2), at Texans (6-4)
10. Cleveland Browns (4-6) REMAINING OPPONENTS: vs. Dolphins (2-8), at Steelers (5-5), vs. Bengals (0-10), at Cardinals (3-7-1), vs. Ravens (8-2), at Bengals (0-10)
11. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-6) REMAINING OPPONENTS: at Titans (5-5), vs. Buccaneers (3-7), vs. Chargers (4-7), at Raiders (6-4), at Falcons (3-7), vs. Colts (6-4)
These standings will shuffle significantly in just a few weeks, let alone by Week 17. And in regards to the Steelers, they have to like their positioning if they can take care of their own business. A big ‘if’, I know.
The Steelers still play the Bills on their schedule, at home, and a win over Buffalo would catapult them in front if there were a tie between the two teams. With the Bills still having to play Dallas, Baltimore and New England, nothing is guaranteed there.
Pittsburgh also has the head-to-head win over the Colts, and it seems the Colts and Texans could eliminate one of the other throughout the next few weeks. The Colts’ finishing schedule is easier than the Texans, but between the Texans, Titans and Colts, those three teams will certainly help pave the way for Pittsburgh to get a good look at a Wild Card spot.
It is sad to say, but it seems as if the Steelers’ only hope for a playoff berth would be via the Wild Card. Not that the Ravens can’t slip up against the Rams, 49ers or Bills, but they look like the best team in the NFL at the current moment.
The Steelers have the easiest remaining schedule in the NFL, per PFF, and taking care of their own business will leave no doubt whether they deserve a spot in the playoffs. A lot can change in just a few short weeks...
Take a look at the above standings, who do you see failing down the stretch? And which team will be a surprise to climb the rankings? Let us know in the comment section below!