The Baltimore Ravens clinched a playoff spot in week 16 by defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Lamar Jackson and the offense steamrolled over an injury-riddled Steelers defense. Jackson went 15/23 for 207 passing yards, three passing TDs, one interception, and added 24 rushing yards. Derrick Henry went off, recording 162 rushing yards on 24 rush attempts. Zay Flowers had five catches and 100 receiving yards. Mark Andrews caught a TD pass for the fourth straight game.
Russell Wilson had two costly turnovers that changed the game. With the game tied 7-7, the Steelers were driving and Wilson broke for a 19-yard run to get inside Baltimore’s five-yard line but Wilson fumbled and the Ravens recovered. Wilson threw a pick-six in the fourth quarter with the Steelers down 24-17, which sealed the game.
Injuries have been piling up for the Steelers at the worst time. Their secondary is banged up and they are missing their top wideout, George Pickens. One of the best-run defenders on the Steelers, Larry Ogunjobi, was out for this contest.
With just two games remaining during the season and a game against the Chiefs on Wednesday, the Steelers need to get healthy before the playoffs.
The Steelers and Ravens each have a 10-5 record but the Steelers remain first in the AFC North.
Below, we discuss which team will win the AFC North and if the Steelers are in danger of not winning a playoff game once again.
Will The Pittsburgh Steelers Or Baltimore Ravens Win The AFC North?
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens each have a 10-5 record. The Steelers remain first in the AFC North with two games remaining.
Pittsburgh’s final two games are both home games. They face the Kansas City Chiefs in week 17 and then the Cincinnati Bengals in week 18.
Baltimore’s final two games are at Houston in week 17 followed by a home game against Cleveland in week 18.
The advantage in the schedule goes to the Ravens as they are favored in both games. The Steelers are underdogs at home against the Chiefs in week 17.
Another big advantage for the Ravens to win the division is how banged up the Steelers are. Numerous injuries to starting defensive players and star WR George Pickens have hindered the Steelers.
In all likelihood, the Steelers will need to win both remaining games to win the division but with numerous injuries, it will be an uphill battle to defeat the Chiefs.
The Baltimore Ravens will wind up winning the AFC North.
Are The Steelers In Danger Of Not Winning A Playoff Game?
If the Steelers are not healthy come playoff time, the simple answer is yes, they are in danger of not winning a playoff game.
Their best chance of winning a playoff game is to win the division and have a home playoff matchup against the Broncos or Chargers. Pittsburgh beat both the Chargers and Broncos during the season.
If the Steelers do not wind up winning the division, they will be on the road for wild-card weekend.
Pittsburgh needs to win one game to be no lower than the fifth seed to avoid being on the road against the Ravens or Bills during the wild-card round.
Still, even if the Steelers are on the road against the Texans, they will unlikely be favored and if they are not healthy, the Texans with Stroud will have their way with the defense.
Pittsburgh is in danger of not winning a playoff game. They have not won a playoff game since 2016 and are once again at risk of not winning a playoff game.
