AFC Playoff Picture: Steelers clinch AFC North, and No. 3 seed, with Week 16 win

The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens 31-27 in Week 16 at Heinz Field, and in doing so they were able to win the AFC North, and clinch the No. 3 seed in the AFC Playoff Picture.

The Steelers will host the lowest seeded team in the AFC Playoffs for the Wild Card round, but before talking scenarios, let’s look at the updated Playoff Picture. It should be noted at the time of publishing the Sunday Night Football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos hadn’t concluded.

AFC Playoff Picture

1. New England Patriots - 13-2 - Remaining Game: at Dolphins (10-5)
2. Oakland Raiders - 12-3 - Remaining Game: at Broncos (8-6)

3. Pittsburgh Steelers - 9-5 - Remaining Games: vs. Browns (1-14)
6. Miami Dolphins - 10-5 - Remaining Game: vs. Patriots (13-2)

4. Houston Texans - 9-6 - Remaining Game: at Titans (8-7)
5. Kansas City Chiefs - 10-4 - Remaining Games: vs. Broncos (8-6), at Chargers (5-9)

In the hunt:

7. Denver Broncos - 8-6 - Remaining Games: at Chiefs (10-4), vs. Raiders (12-3)

With the Patriots clinching the No. 1, the Raiders on the verge of clinching the No. 2 seed, the Steelers clinching the No. 3 seed, and the Texans clinching the 4th seed, the only thing left to see is who will be traveling to Heinz Field for the Wild Card game.

Heading into Week 17, the Steelers play a meaningless game against the Cleveland Browns, and either a Matt Moore led Miami Dolphins team will be coming to Pittsburgh, or the Denver Broncos.

If there is one thing for sure, the Steelers have earned the No. 3 seed, even though everyone was hoping, and expected so much more at the beginning of the season. The last time the Steelers won more than 5 games in a row was when they won 14 straight in 2004, Ben Roethlisberger’s rookie year. After starting the year 4-1, then dropping 4 games in a row, the team has rebounded nicely.

There is a chance by Monday morning the AFC Playoff Picture will be set in stone, and if so, stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news surrounding the Steelers and the playoffs.