You can't compete for a Super Bowl unless you punch your ticket into the playoffs. This is something the Pittsburgh Steelers did after Week 15, despite their ugly loss against the Philadelphia Eagles. But trying to compete from a Wild Card spot creates a daunting task and one we've rarely seen accomplished in this league.
If the Steelers fail to win the AFC North, they will either play as the fifth or sixth seed in the AFC Playoffs. This means that Pittsburgh would be required to win three straight road games in the postseason just to earn a trip to the Super Bowl (and four straight wins to become Super Bowl champions).
Mike Tomlin can greatly increase his chances of getting to the divisional round and advancing far into the playoffs if he can ensure his team will host at least one home game. Entering the season finale, the No. 3 seed in the AFC Playoffs is still attainable.
Unfortunately, two things must occur in Week 18 for this to happen... and it won't be easy.
How Steelers can lock up AFC North title
It always feels like the Pittsburgh Steelers are starving for some outside assistance when we enter the final week of the NFL season. Though their playoff spot is secure, Pittsburgh's seeding will be greatly impacted depending on whether they can get two games to fall their way this weekend.
The first thing that must happen for the Steelers to claim the AFC North crown and lock up the No. 3 seed in the AFC Playoffs is for the Ravens to lose to the Browns. With a Baltimore win on Saturday afternoon, the Ravens will officially lock themselves into the No. 3 seed and will host at least one home playoff game. In the process, they will force the Steelers to play from a Wild Card seed.
Fortunately, there's hope.
While the Ravens are the biggest favorites in the NFL in Week 18, Cleveland found a way to win their first head-to-head matchup back in Week 8 with a final score of 29-24. Baltimore is too talented with too much riding on this game to mess up in the finale, but stranger things have happened, and divisional games are always tough.
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If the Ravens somehow squander a golden opportunity to claim the AFC North against the Browns, only one other thing must happen for the Steelers to claim the No. 3 seed: Pittsburgh must defeat the Bengals at home on Saturday night.
This is easier said than done. The last time these teams faced, Joe Burrow and the Bengals dropped 38 points on Pittsburgh's defense, and it required a 44-point outing from Russell Wilson and company to get the job done.
Meanwhile, the Bengals are on a four-game winning streak and will be fighting tooth and nail for a chance to crack the playoffs. Though Cincinnati will need both the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins to lose plus a win over the Steelers to enter the tournament, Cincy will play their game against Pittsburgh before these other contests take place in the late afternoon window on Sunday.
Steelers fans will know by kickoff whether Pittsburgh has a chance to claim the No. 3 seed and an AFC North title. The odds are stacked against them, but this is the NFL. Anything can happen.