The Pittsburgh Steelers came into Week 14 of the NFL season badly needing a victory. Sitting at 6-6 after a 2-5 stretch over the past two months, they had allowed the Baltimore Ravens to climb back into the race for the AFC North division title. The two teams were finally set to meet for the first time this season, and the winner would be a significant favorite to make the playoffs.
Despite having to travel to Baltimore, the Steelers managed to come away with a hard-fought 27-22 victory on the backs of Aaron Rodgers and a few key stops by their defense. It was the kind of performance that felt impossible after watching Pittsburgh get throttled by the Buffalo Bills just a week ago.
Instead, they are now in control of the AFC North and control their destiny from here on out.
Pittsburgh Steelers win over Ravens gives them clear path to an AFC North title
Pittsburgh isn't out of the woods quite yet, but they can now guarantee an AFC North crown and a home playoff game by winning their remaining four games. They can afford another loss as long as it isn't to the Ravens in Week 18, but that's only if Baltimore doesn't lose again with a tough remaining schedule.
The Steelers' playoff odds now sit at 62% according to the NFL.com's playoff picture, not as high as you would think considering Pittsburgh's significantly easier path to the division title. To be fair, this team has struggled to finish seasons strong in recent years, and their victory this week wasn't particularly convincing.
Still, fans who were looking for something to believe in can point to this performance as proof that this team isn't done yet. Rodgers turned back the clock and played his best game as a Steeler. The defense was far from perfect, but they got the stops needed to disappoint the Ravens' home crowd. Mike Tomlin silenced (for now, at least) the calls for his job.
The job is far from done, however.
The Steelers will now head back home to face a resurgent Miami Dolphins team, then travel to face a Detroit Lions team that themselves could be fighting for a playoff spot. Neither game will be easy, but they are ones that could determine Pittsburgh's playoff fate. That's without even mentioning their Week 17 game against the Browns, who suddenly look more dangerous with Shedeur Sanders at QB.
With any luck, the Ravens will simply continue to fall apart and make it easy on them. But I think we all know that would be too good to be true.