Aaron Rodgers makes defiant claim ahead of Ravens vs Steelers Week 18 showdown

The AFC North and the final AFC playoff spot will be decided in Week 18 after the Pittsburgh Steelers blew their chance to clinch the division by suffering a shock defeat to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

The Steelers’ loss, coupled with the Ravens’ win over the Packers on Saturday, means Pittsburgh and Baltimore will meet in a winner-takes-all showdown in Pennsylvania in the final week of the regular season.

Ravens vs Steelers: Winner takes the AFC North

A win for the Steelers will ensure they claim the AFC North and punch their ticket to the postseason. Even a tie would be enough to send Pittsburgh through.

The Ravens, meanwhile, go into the game knowing there is no room for error. Only a win will do for John Harbaugh’s team. If Baltimore prevails, it would finish level with the Steelers in the standings and the season series, but advance to the playoffs thanks to a superior division record.

Rodgers still confident despite collapse

Despite his team’s woeful performance against the Browns, Aaron Rodgers told reporters after the game that he remains fully confident the Steelers will reach the postseason in his first year in Pittsburgh.

“I have full confidence we’ll go home and win next week,” stated the veteran quarterback.

Of course, no football player would say otherwise. Still, Rodgers was pressed on why he is so certain the Steelers will be able to get the job done.

“Because we’ve done it all season. We’ve handled adversity well, and when we had to play our best ball, we did.”

Pittsburgh buckles under pressure

With one exception, of course. Pittsburgh would already have everything wrapped up had it taken care of business against a Cleveland team that entered Week 17 with a 3-12 record. The 41-year-old admitted that he and his teammates failed to deliver when the pressure was on this time, concluding, “other than today.”

Recent history should still give the Steelers reason for optimism. Pittsburgh has won nine of the last 11 meetings between the teams, including a victory in Baltimore just weeks ago on December 7. “Handling adversity” will once again be the buzz phrase if the Steelers and Rodgers are to extend their season into January.

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