3 games to watch in Week 14 which give perspective to the 2020 Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are looking to lock up a playoff birth in Week 13. With only 5 games left, it’s time to look at both teams the Steelers still have to play as well as games affect the playoff picture. Of course, the Steelers’ game is the only one that matters this week, but there are some other games which could tell Steelers fans more about this 2020 team.

At the suggestion of one of our faithful BTSC community members, I’m going to include a brief rundown of the previous week’s three games in question to see how they helped shape the narrative of the Steelers 2020 season.

Cleveland Browns (41) at Tennessee Titans (35)

The Cleveland Browns hit the ground running against the Tennessee Titans and didn’t look back...almost. When the Browns got out to a big lead against the Titans only to score 3 points in the second half and hold on for a narrow victory, they were deemed a dominant offense. It’s funny how that same narrative didn’t transfer when the Steelers did the same thing. And in case of the Browns, they gave up 28 second half points.

Indianapolis Colts (26) at Houston Texans (20)

It looked like the Houston Texans were preparing to send the Pittsburgh Steelers into the 2020 postseason in Week 13. But instead of punching the ball in when they were inside the 5 yard line in the final minutes of the game, the Texans fumbled it away and allowed the Colts to take a knee.

Buffalo Bills (34) at San Francisco 49ers (24)

I have to admit I did not catch hardly any of this game as I was busy preparing content following the Steelers game. It appears the second quarter was really what won the game for the Bills as they trailed after the opening 15 minutes and merely kept pace in the second half.

Now that we have closed the page on Week 13 of the NFL season, it’s time to get focused on the next set of games as there is little time in the NFL to dwell on the previous week. For Week 14, here are the three games which could give the most perspective on what the Steelers can expect with some of their future opponents as well as their overall layoff picture:

Kansas City Chiefs at Miami Dolphins

Sunday 1:00 PM on CBS

For the first time of the 2020 season, not only is the game with the Steelers next opponent not included in the list, one replaces it with two teams the Steelers do not face in the regular season. But this game is too important for Pittsburgh going forward. It’s basically a win–win situation. If the Kansas City Chiefs win, the Steelers qualify for the playoffs. If the Miami Dolphins win, the Steelers have a little more breathing room in regards to the number one seed. There will be a silver lining in this game one way or the other.

Indianapolis Colts at Las Vegas Raiders

Sunday 4:05 PM on CBS

This game was chosen not just simply because the Colts are on the horizon for the Steelers in Week 16, but it is among two teams fighting for a playoff position. This will be yet another chance for the Steelers to lock in a playoff spot should the Colts be victorious. But if the Raiders prevail, perhaps the Steelers will learn some things to use to their advantage come Week 16.

Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens

Monday at 8:15 PM on ESPN

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but with the Steelers already defeating the Baltimore Ravens twice in 2020 it would be to their benefit for the Ravens to take down the Cleveland Browns. Right now the Steelers are ahead of the Browns by two games with four games to go. If the Browns falter against the Ravens, it just makes it a little bit easier for the Steelers to wrap up the AFC North without having to pull out a Week 17 win.

So there are the three main matchups which may give Steelers fans an indication as to the quality of upcoming opponents in 2020 or how they shape the playoff picture. As teams are now in the home stretch, it is becoming more about where teams stand when it comes to the postseason and how it relates to to Steelers than anything else.

So which of these games will be the most telling as it pertains to the future of the 2020 Pittsburgh Steelers? Make sure you vote in the poll and give your thoughts in the comments below.