Steelers have a very realistic path to the playoffs after the stars align

The Pittsburgh Steelers just had their playoff chances skyrocket after the outcome of AFC performances on New Year’s day. Here’s what we need to root for in Week 18. 

All hope was lost as the Pittsburgh Steelers entered their bye back in Week 9. At that point, Mike Tomlin’s team remorsefully sat on a dismal 2-6 record and the NFL media wrote them off as a viable playoff contender this year… But not so fast.

Since then, Pittsburgh has found new life. As bad as things started, this team has taken a complete one-eighty since the bye — going 6-2 in the latter half of the season. Tomlin’s team was once considered a bottom-feeder is now very much alive in the AFC playoff race thanks to a number of games going their way in Week 17.

A new year marks a time for fresh starts and a new beginning, and the Pittsburgh Steelers weren’t about to let this opportunity pass them by. On the morning of January 1st, Tomlin’s team was given just a 3 percent chance to make the playoffs this year, according to FiveThirtyEight. However, within a matter of hours, that number increased astronomically.

The Steelers received late Christmas gifts as the Dolphins fell to the Patriots and the Jets lost to the Seahawks. These were the first two things that needed to happen to even make Pittsburgh’s Sunday Night Football matchup against the Baltimore Ravens meaningful.

Then it came time for the Steelers to take care of business. Though they trailed the Ravens for most of the game, Kenny Pickett mounted a game-winning touchdown and Pittsburgh kept their playoff hopes alive. Now, heading into Week 18, the Steelers have a 21 percent chance of making the tournament.

Steelers have a real shot at the playoffs following win vs Ravens

While 15 percent still seems low when compared to the odds of other teams in the AFC, we just witnessed how quickly the tides can shift in the National Football League. Personally, I believe that the hardest stretch of this scenario has already played out.

Next week, the Steelers will require the Bills to beat the Patriots and the Jets to defeat the Dolphins. These are both well within reach as Buffalo is heavy favorites in Week 18, and New York will be going up against a third-string quarterback in Miami.

Obviously, this would require the Pittsburgh Steelers to take care of business against the Cleveland Browns in their season finale, but knowing Mike Tomlin and what will be on the line next weekend, that shouldn’t be an issue.

It’s crazy to see the stars start to align before our eyes, and with one more week like this, the Steelers could be playing some very meaningful post-season football as the final Wild Card team in the AFC.