What are Steelers chances of making the playoffs entering Week 7?

After dropping back-to-back games against the Colts and Cowboys, the Pittsburgh Steelers desperately needed to snap their early-season skid. Thankfully, a convincing 32-13 win in Week 6 did exactly that.

Mike Tomlin's team now sits on a 4-2 record ahead of their Sunday Night Football game against the New York Jets. This is the same record the Ravens own entering Week 7, but a shootout win over the Bengals gives Baltimore a win in the division and the first-place baton in the AFC North for the time being.

The AFC was expected to be highly competitive this year, but so far, that hasn't been the case. If the season ended today, the Steelers would be in the playoffs, but what are the chances this holds true by the end of the season?

Steelers' have favorable chance of making the playoffs entering Week 7

According to ESPN's 2024 NFL playoff picture, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a 71 percent chance to make the playoffs ahead of Week 7. This is notably higher than the Chargers (58 percent) and Colts (52 percent) -- who would be the other two Wild Card teams in the AFC playoffs if the season ended today.

Though we are only six games into the season, the Browns have just a 3 percent chance of making the postseason after a dismal 1-5 start, while the Bengals still have a respectable 35 percent chance of cracking the playoffs.

Fortunately, Pittsburgh's schedule down the stretch isn't looking as daunting as it once did. They have the 11th hardest schedule remaining, per Pro Football Network.

Thanks to Cleveland and Cincinnati falling flat and the Eagles posing as an underwhelming foe, the brutal late-season schedule could favor the Steelers. But nothing comes easy for Pittsburgh.

With a win against the New York Jets in primetime this week, the Steelers' playoff chances will skyrocket. The Jets currently have a 46 percent chance to make the playoffs, and now that Aaron Rodgers has Davante Adams to throw to, this team could make some noise.

New York could bridge this gap in playoff chances with a win over the Steelers, but if Pittsburgh can take care of business, the Jets would own a 2-5 record and their chances of cashing their ticket into the postseason would be slim.

Fans who want to know who to root for should be hoping the Dolphins beat the Colts and the Cardinals beat the Chargers this week. Obviously, every Steelers fan and their mother will be rooting for the Ravens to fall flat against the Buccaneers as part of a Monday Night Football doubleheader.

All the Pittsburgh Steelers can do is take care of business with what they can control. This starts by building some momentum with a win against the Jets on Sunday Night Football.