Steelers news: Kickoff time announced vs Browns, playoff scenarios, and more

Pittsburgh is coming off a massive win over the Baltimore Ravens. Here’s the latest Steelers news heading into the final week of the season. 

The playoffs are just around the corner and most Pittsburgh Steelers fans probably thought their team wouldn’t even be sniffing the postseason at this point. Since a dismal start that saw them sitting on a 2-6 record entering their Week 9 bye, many didn’t think it would be long before Mike Tomlin’s team was officially eliminated.

However, we should have learned by now never to count this team out. Pittsburgh has since scratched and clawed their way back to 8-8, and they could still make the playoffs if a few things go their way in the final week of the season. Here’s the latest Steelers news you need to know ahead of Pittsburgh’s season finale.

Steelers news

Up until recently, the kickoff time for Pittsburgh’s final game against the Cleveland Browns had yet to be determined. It was possible a few weeks back that this could have come down to two AFC North teams with the winner getting into the playoffs. However, that’s not the case.

While Pittsburgh still has a reasonable shot at becoming the final seed in the AFC, the Browns have officially been eliminated from playoff contention. Because of this, the Steelers vs Browns matchup will take place during the 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time slate on Sunday. This game will mean much more to Mike Tomlin and his team than it will to a Cleveland Team that can’t make the post-season.

More Steelers news

Everything went exactly right for the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17 as the Dolphins lost to the Patriots and the Jets fell to the Seahawks. Now Tomlin is going to need a little help once again for his team to crack the post-season. For Pittsburgh to get in, the Jets must beat the Dolphins and the Bills must take care of business against the Patriots. Obviously, the Steelers must beat the Browns in their final game as well.

What makes this really interesting is that all of these games will be going on at the same time, and the players might not even be aware of their situation while the game is going on. Either way, you better believe that they are going to bring their ‘A’ game with them this week with the season on the line.

Steelers fans should keep a watchful eye on the scores of these other two games while Pittsburgh is battling it out against Cleveland. Entering the final week, they have a 15 percent chance of making the playoffs, according to FiveThirtyEight.

NFL news

The NFL recently announced that it will be the Packers hosting the Lions on the final week of Sunday Night Football in the regular season. Green Bay can clinch a playoff spot with a win, while Detroit needs a win plus a Seahawks loss against the Rams to enter the tournament.

NFL.com also confirms that there will be a double-header on Saturday with the Raiders hosting the Chiefs at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on ESPN and ABC before the Titans and Jaguars face each other at 8:15 p.m. Eastern Time on CBS in what will be their final game of the season.