- - Steelers playoff picture: Scenarios, chances for Pittsburgh to win AFC North

Jacob Camenker, USA TODAY December 28, 2025 at 7:07 PM

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Just a few weeks ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers looked like they were losing their grip on the AFC North. The Baltimore Ravens came roaring back to tie them in the divisional standings, and the Steelers were sitting at .500 after a 26-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 13.

Since then, the Steelers have gotten hot. They have won three consecutive games and earned key wins over the Ravens and Detroit Lions.

If Pittsburgh can keep its winning streak going in Week 17 against the Cleveland Browns, the Steelers will clinch the AFC North for the first time since 2020.

That said, if the Steelers slip up against a lowly divisional foe, they will re-open the door for the Ravens to get back into the divisional race. That would set up a key, Week 18 showdown to determine which team will represent the AFC North in the postseason.

Here's a breakdown of the Steelers' playoff chances and how they can get into the 2025 NFL postseason field over the final two weeks of the season.

makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.

" style=padding-bottom:56%>Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.

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Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.

">Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.

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1 / 4Best images of the 2025 NFL season

Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.

Steelers playoff chances

The Steelers have an estimated 79% chance to make the playoffs entering Week 17, according to the NFL's Next Gen Stats. A win over the Browns would guarantee them a postseason berth while a loss would set up a win-or-go-home game against the Ravens in Week 18.

Steelers playoff scenarios

The Steelers have a couple of different paths into the 2025 NFL postseason. They just need one positive result over the final two weeks of the season to win the AFC North and make it into the playoffs.

Below is a look at how Pittsburgh can get into the postseason:

Steelers win or tie against Cleveland Browns in Week 17 OR

Steelers win or tie against Baltimore Ravens in Week 18

The Steelers could have clinched a playoff berth Saturday had the Ravens lost to the Green Bay Packers. Instead, Derrick Henry scored four touchdowns in a Baltimore victory, putting the onus on Pittsburgh to put itself into the postseason field.

AFC North standings

The Steelers are in first place in the AFC North and will remain there regardless of what happens against the Browns, as Pittsburgh entered Week 17 with a two-game lead over Baltimore in the divisional race.

This is what the AFC North standings currently look like:

Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6)

Baltimore Ravens (8-8)

Cincinnati Bengals (5-10)

Cleveland Browns (3-12)

The Ravens can only climb into first place in the AFC North if the Steelers lose out. Such a result would nullify the current head-to-head tiebreaker Pittsburgh owns while allowing Baltimore to overtake its rival with a superior divisional record.

But presently, the Steelers own the head-to-head tiebreaker against the Ravens and sport a better divisional record (3-1) than their counterpart (3-2). That gives the Steelers a significant edge over their final two games of the season.

Steelers remaining schedule

The Steelers have a relatively easy finish to the 2025 NFL season. They get to face the three-win Browns on the road before returning home to face the .500 Ravens in Week 18.

Below is a look at the Steelers' full schedule:

Week 17: at Cleveland Browns (3-12)

Week 18: vs. Baltimore Ravens (8-8)

Ravens remaining schedule

The Ravens earned a victory over the Packers in Week 17 and have just one more game remaining. That will be their meeting with the Steelers, which will either be a game to win the AFC North or simply an opportunity for Baltimore to play for pride in a lost season.

Here's a look at how the Ravens will finish the regular season:

Week 18: at Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6)

NFL playoff picture

Here's how the AFC and NFC stack up for Week 17:

AFC -

Denver Broncos (13-3, AFC West winners)*

New England Patriots (12-3, AFC East leaders)*

Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4, AFC South leaders)*

Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6, AFC North leaders)

Buffalo Bills (11-4, wild card No. 1)*

Houston Texans (11-5, wild card No. 2)*

Los Angeles Chargers (11-5, wild card No. 3)*

In the hunt: Baltimore Ravens (8-8)

NFC -

Seattle Seahawks (12-3, NFC West leaders)*

Chicago Bears (11-4, NFC North winners)*

Philadelphia Eagles (10-5, NFC East winners)*

Carolina Panthers (8-7, NFC South leaders)

San Francisco 49ers (11-4, wild card No. 1)*

Los Angeles Rams (11-4, wild card No. 2)*

Green Bay Packers (9-6-1, wild card No. 3)*

In the hunt: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8)

An asterisk (*) denotes teams that have clinched a playoff spot. Teams that have clinched division titles are noted accordingly.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Steelers playoff chances: Scenarios, postseason odds for Pittsburgh

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