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Steelers Fan Rooting Guide, Week 14: Who Steelers fans should root for this weekend

When it comes to games featuring teams other than just the Black-and-gold, Steelers fans usually know who could benefit the home team’s cause. But sometimes, you have to look at the bigger picture—the playoff picture.

By Bryan Anthony Davis
NFL: Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

We’re all aware of the significance of seeding. The home game against the Ravens this weekend isn't the only contest that matters to Steelers Nation. Several games will occur this weekend that could effect seeding and matchups for Pittsburgh. Here’s a guide to other significant matchups and whose losses the Steelers would benefit from more.

If the season ended today, the Steelers would have the top seed in the AFC. Here are the current AFC playoff standings.

(x) denotes eliminated

  1. Pittsburgh Steelers 10-2 (Would win AFC North and get a First Round Bye)
  2. New England Patriots 10-2 (Would win AFC East and get a First Round Bye)
  3. Tennessee Titans 8-4 (Would win AFC South and host Wild Card Baltimore)
  4. Kansas City Chiefs 6-6 (Would win AFC West and host Wild Card Jacksonville)
  5. Jacksonville Jaguars 8-4 (Would earn Wild Card and travel to Kansas City)
  6. Baltimore Ravens 7-5 (Would earn Wild Card and travel to Tennessee)
  7. Los Angeles Chargers 6-6
  8. Buffalo Bills 6-6
  9. Oakland Raiders 6-6
  10. New York Jets 5-7
  11. Miami Dolphins 5-7
  12. Cincinnati Bengals 5-7
  13. Houston Texans 4-8
  14. Indianapolis Colts 3-9
  15. Denver Broncos 3-9
  16. Cleveland Browns 0-12 (x)

Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills - Sun 1:00 PM

Who to root for: Not a major concern whatsoever, but a Buffalo uprising would benefit Pittsburgh. The Bills would be a better option in the playoffs than the Ravens.

Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs - Sun 1:00 PM

Who to root for: Kansas City is floundering, but they’re a team that has wounded New England in past seasons. Unlikely that they rebound to capably challenge the Pats, but it would be cool to see.

Tennessee Titans at Arizona Cardinals - Sun 4:05 PM

Who to root for: Should Pittsburgh fall to the No. 2 seed, Tennessee at No. 3 could be their first opponent. That would be a better fit than Jacksonville.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Seattle Seahawks - Sun 4:25 PM

Who to root for: I would like to see Jacksonville lose one more for the sake of securing a bye.

New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins - Mon 8:30 PM

Who to root for: The Pats are the Pats. It’s Steelers fans’ nature to root against New England. Not going to happen, but why not?

Other less significant Week-14 contests featuring an AFC foe:
San Francisco 49ers at Houston Texans (Sun 1:00 PM)
Green Bay Packers at Cleveland Browns (Sun 1:00 PM)
Chicago Bears ar Cincinnati Bengals (Sun 1:00 PM)
New York Jets at Denver Broncos (Sun 4:05 PM)
Washington Redskins at San Diego Chargers (Sun 4:05 PM)

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