How can the Steelers make the playoffs?

How can the Steelers make the playoffs? originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Steelers didn’t get the result they wanted in Week 13, falling to the Buffalo Bills in embarrassing fashion, and it took a real hit out of their playoff hopes. Before the game, Pittsburgh was sitting in a strong spot—over a 64% chance to make the playoffs and a solid lead in the AFC North after the Ravens were stunned by the Bengals on Thanksgiving.

But after losing to Buffalo, those numbers dropped. The Steelers now sit at about a 52% chance to make the playoffs and just over a 51% chance to win the AFC North. They’re still very much in the race, but the cushion is gone.

The path forward is clear: win the division. With so many AFC teams fighting for Wild Card spots—like the Jaguars, Texans, Chiefs, and Bills—it’s likely only one team from the AFC North gets in. That means Pittsburgh can’t rely on tiebreakers or scoreboard watching.

The good news? The Steelers’ schedule is manageable. Their toughest remaining game is against the Lions, while Baltimore still has tough matchups against the Packers, Patriots, and a Bengals team that’s heating up. And with two head-to-head games against the Ravens in Week 14 and Week 18, Pittsburgh can control the race themselves.

The Steelers couldn’t take advantage of having Aaron Rodgers back in Week 13, but with the division still within reach, everything they want is still on the table—they just need to stack wins and take care of business down the stretch.