Steelers Playoff Path: A look at the fourth-quarter schedules for AFC Wild Card Contenders

BTSC takes a look at the remaining schedules of teams legitimately in the playoff race.

By Bryan Anthony Davis@btscbad Dec 5, 2019, 7:36am EST

Pittsburgh Steelers v New England Patriots

The 2019 Steelers remain in position to capture the final Wild Card entry in the conference tournament known as the AFC Playoffs. At this juncture, the Ravens sit atop the standings and they, along with the Patriots, Chiefs and Texans seem to have the inside track on their respective division titles. But that could change. Those teams also play games that affect the Steelers Wild Card hopes. But first and foremost, the Steelers need to take care of their own business. Here’s there remaining slate of games.

Week 14: @Arizona

Week 15: Buffalo

Week 16: @New York Jets

Week 17: @Baltimore

Here’s a closer look at the remaining schedules of teams that will need to be Pittsburgh friends and those who are right now the enemy.

Baltimore Ravens 10-2

The Ravens seem to have the division locked up. With the Steelers three games back, two wins or two Pittsburgh losses would clinch it for the Steelers. The Wild Card is a more likely scenario for the Black-and-Gold, but if you’re a hopeless romantic and endless dreamer...here’s the road for the birds.

Week 14: @Buffalo

Week 15: New York Jets

Week 16: @Cleveland

Week 17: Pittsburgh

New England Patriots 10-2

The Patriots don't look like the juggernaut that they have been and with 50% of their schedule challenging, they can run into rare peril. However, I don’t see them losing too much down the stretch. They can actually be more helpful than hurtful to the Steeler cause during the last quarter of the season.

Week 14: Kansas City

Week 15: @Cincinnati

Week 16: Buffalo

Week 17: Miami

Houston Texans 8-4

If everything holds true, the Steelers could be facing the Texans in the first round of the playoffs. However, the Texans are going to be tough to play down the stretch and they could sneak into the No. 2 spot with luck. Either Tennessee or the Texans will take the othe out. My money is on H-Town.

Week 14: Denver

Week 15: @Tennessee

Week 16: @Tampa Bay

Week 17: Tennessee

Kansas City Chiefs 8-4

Kansas City Chiefs v Pittsburgh Steelers

KC slipped a bit in the middle of the season when Patrick Mahomes went down against Denver, but the Chiefs have rebounded. After a contest at New England, their remaining schedule is less daunting. Should Houston slip, the Steelers could meet the Chiefs in Cowtown come January.

Week 14: @New England

Week 15: Denver

Week 16: @Chicago

Week 17: Los Angeles Chargers

Buffalo Bills 9-3

Buffalo looked really strong against Dallas on Thanksgiving Day. They are a long shot to solve the Patriots, but could...should they stay hot. Right now the No. 5 seed has to face the current one, six and two seeds in the next three weeks. The SNF contest in Week 15 in Pittsburgh will be big for both teams. That’s why it got flexed.

Week 14: Baltimore

Week 15: @Pittsburgh

Week 16: @New England

Week 17: New York Jets

Tennessee Titans 7-5

The Titans have won three-straight games and are looking good with Ryan Tannehill at the helm, but their remaining slate seems brutal to me. If they can actually get through the hot Houston Texans twice, they could win the division. But a road game in Oakland and the Saints at home will be really difficult to overcome to even get a WC berth.

Week 14: @Oakland

Week 15: Houston

Week 16: New Orleans

Week 17: @Houston

Oakland Raiders 6-6

The Raiders are still trying to win the division, but the head-to-head loss to KC this past Sunday has them on the verge of elimination in the AFC West. But the Wild Card is still a possibility with a supposed easy schedule. However, divisional road-games in Denver and L.A. are tough sledding or surfing.

Week 14: Tennessee

Week 15: Jacksonville

Week 16: @Los Angeles Chargers

Week 17: @Denver

Indianapolis Colts 6-6

Indianapolis Colts v Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers own a tiebreaker over the Colts after beating them in Week 9. Indy’s schedule is not as rough as the one that the Titans are faced with, but it’s no cakewalk with three NFC South teams. But then there’s Jacksonville, so be mindful of Frank Reich’s team.

Week 14: @Tampa Bay

Week 15: @New Orleans

Week 16: Carolina

Week 17: @Jacksonville

Cleveland Browns 5-7

The Browns couldn’t finish things, but still have a chance to. After you stop laughing, let me explain. First, Cleveland needs to win out. Say that actually happens, then should Buffalo not lose out...a whole lot of other dominoes need to fall. The sun shines on a dog’s butt every once in a while, but this dawg pound has a cloud hanging over it.

Week 14: Cincinnati

Week 15: @Arizona

Week 16: Baltimore

Week 17: @Cincinnati