What do the Steelers need to make the playoffs in Week 18? Pittsburgh’s chances to get the remaining AFC spot

The Pittsburgh Steelers face a Week 18 showdown with the Baltimore Ravens for the AFC North title and the final postseason spot after blowing a chance to clinch the playoffs against the Cleveland Browns in Week 17.

Missing key wide receiver DK Metcalf, the Steelers fell 13-6 in Cleveland, a team that had won just three games all season before Sunday.

A win would have allowed Pittsburgh to seal a postseason spot with a game to spare. Instead, they have left the door wide open for the Ravens, who secured an impressive blowout against the Green Bay Packers on Saturday.

How the Steelers can clinch the postseason against the Ravens

If the season ended today, the Steelers (9-7) would make the playoffs. But Baltimore is just one game behind at 8-8 and can still overtake Pittsburgh to clinch the AFC North and the AFC’s No. 4 seed.

Mike Tomlin’s team has two ways to secure the job. A win over the Ravens at Acrisure Stadium ensures they claim the division and a postseason spot, and even a tie would be enough to send them through.

Ravens vs Steelers: who is the favorite?

Despite all that, the NFL’s Next Gen Stats currently favors Baltimore, giving Pittsburgh just a 40% chance to win. The numbers suggest there is a 60% probability that Lamar Jackson will be starring in the postseason instead of Aaron Rodgers, which may surprise some fans.

A win for the Ravens would see both teams finish 9-8, but John Harbaugh’s squad would leapfrog the Steelers thanks to a better division record.

Why a road game could favor Baltimore

Although the game is in Pittsburgh, that could suit Baltimore, who are 3-6 at home but 5-2 on the road. Momentum is also with the Ravens following their Week 17 results, adding extra intrigue to this final showdown.

Despite his team’s failure to get over the line against the Browns, 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. “Because we’ve done it all season. We’ve handled adversity well, and when we had to play our best ball, we did.”

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