The Steelers won their fourth consecutive game Sunday in Buffalo, but their margin for error remains slim in the race for an AFC playoff berth.
The Steelers can remove all doubt by winning their final three games, which would give them the AFC North division title with an 11-5 record. But if they lose one of their remaining three games it could be difficult to make it.
The Steelers temporarily own sole possession of first place in the AFC North with an 8-5 record. The Ravens play at the Patriots tonight and can tie the Steelers atop the standings with a win.
But even if the Ravens lose tonight and then win their final three games, including the Christmas Day game at Heinz Field against the Steelers, they’ll win the division based on their head-to-head tiebreaker win over the Steelers.
A wild card berth became more realistic for the Steelers with Denver losing to Tennessee. The Steelers, Broncos and Dolphins all have 8-5 records and are in contention for the second and final wild card berth.
The Dolphins own the tiebreaker over the Steelers if there is a two-way tie based on their head-to-head victory over the Steelers in October. The Dolphins, however, must play the rest of the season without starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who suffered a torn ACL in the Dolphins’ win over Arizona Sunday. Backup Matt Moore will step in for the final three games against the Jets, Bills and Patriots. That final game against the Patriots, which is in Miami, may or may not mean something to the Patriots, who are currently the No. 2 seed in the AFC.
If the Steelers and Broncos are tied for the final wild card spot with 10-6 records the first tiebreaker is conference record. The Steelers currently are 6-3 in the AFC while the Broncos are 5-4. The Broncos’ final three games are against the Patriots, Chiefs and Raiders so the Steelers would earn the final spot based on better conference record should they both finish 10-6.
A three-way tie among the Steelers, Dolphins and Broncos is more complicated.
But three wins in the final three games eliminates all doubt. The Steelers will be in with an 11-5 record and likely play on the first playoff weekend as the No. 3 seed in the AFC.
Dungy changes his mind
NBC football analyst Tony Dungy had favored the Ravens to win the AFC North before Sunday. Then he watched Le’Veon Bell against the Bills, and he changed his mind.
“This man has changed my mind,” said Dungy, the former head coach of the Buccaneers and Colts. “I knew he was good, but he’s so good he helps their defense out. He makes the whole team better…He is so smooth. He looked like he was at a different speed on this field today.”
Favored in Cincinnati
The Steelers open the week as 3 ½ point favorites in Cincinnati. The Bengals likely will be without receiver A.J. Green, who has missed the past two games with a hamstring injury. The Bengals beat the Browns, 23-10, to improve to 5-7-1.
The Bengals have slim playoff hopes, but they would like nothing more than to cripple the Steelers’ chances by beating them.
Ray Fittipaldo: rfittipaldo@post-gazette.com.
First Published: December 12, 2016, 11:35 a.m.
