The Pittsburgh Steelers improved to 7-4 and 3-1 in the AFC North after a big Week 12 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Heading into December, the team is slotted in the fifth-seed spot in the playoff picture. It's safe to say they control their own destiny going forward with a rather favorable schedule over the course of the final six regular season matchups. While it won't be easy to catch the division-leading Baltimore Ravens, there is certainly a way for Mike Tomlin and co. to host a home playoff game if everything falls into place for the Steelers.
%202023%20Camp%20Final%20with%20Logos/2L9A5171-544x306.jpg "Steelers Mike Tomlin")
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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin stands on the field at St. Vincent College during a 2023 training camp practice in Latrobe, PA.
The AFC North is currently a three-team race and could come down to the wire. The Ravens, along with the Cleveland Browns, are attempting to have strong December months in order to come out on top of what is probably the toughest division in the NFL. Taking a look ahead, there's a way the Steelers could, not just host a home playoff game, but also rest their starters entirely in Week 18 against Baltimore.
The mark may just be 11 wins and all three franchises competing have that well within reach. Pittsburgh, however, has one main advantage and that is the strength of schedule going forward. Tough games remain versus the Seattle Seahawks and Ravens late in the year, but every single game, including those two, are very winnable for the Steelers.
The Browns are looking at having the next-easiest. Sitting at 7-4, the two toughest games remaining are against the Jacksonville Jaguars and a playoff-hungry Houston Texans team. They also have to travel to play the Los Angeles Rams in Week 13 and while favored to win, nothing comes easy on the road in the NFL. They may be without star defensive end, Myles Garrett as well as he felt something "pop" in Week 12. Losing two or three games the rest of the year is well within the realm of possibility.
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Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (#95) rushes the passer during a game against the Indianapolis Colts in Cleveland.
As for the Ravens, things get extremely tough towards the end of the 2023 campaign. They will host the Rams in Week 14 after a late bye, but three contests after that are downright brutal. Baltimore has to go on the road and play the Jaguars and then the San Francisco 49ers in back-to-back weeks. It doesn't get much easier as they get the Miami Dolphins in Week 17, a team that could very well be playing for playoff seeding and an AFC East crown (if not already clinched by then).
The Ravens could be staring a three-game losing streak in the face. Both Baltimore and Cleveland getting to six losses prior to Week 18 leaves the door wide open for a Steelers team that would greatly benefit from a home postseason game. The key for Pittsburgh is not dropping one of their next three contests. The Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts can all very easily be beaten. They can't be looked past, but three victories lead to a record of 10-4.
If the Browns and Ravens cooperate with the scenarios above, the Steelers will need to beat the Bengals in Week 16 while Baltimore's sixth loss would, in a perfect world, come against the Dolphins in Week 17. If the Steelers could pull off an incredible six-game winning streak and beat the Seahawks in Week 17, a 12-win season would clinch the division ahead of Week 18. It truly is a wild scenario, but the pieces are in place for something crazy to happen in the AFC North.
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Steelers quarterback, Kenny Pickett (#8) winds up to make a throw during 2022 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
At the very worst, a solid Pittsburgh run, but a loss to the Seahawks in Seattle would still clinch a spot in the playoffs, but the team's Week 18 bout with the Ravens in Baltimore could possibly be for all of the marbles. Steelers fans better get ready, because it's going to be an extremely stressful final month or so of regular season football.
Steelers Have A Tall Task Ahead If AFC North Crown Is Top Priority
Any team would like to win their division, but sometimes, a playoff appearance as a Wild Card team is acceptable. The Steelers find themselves in a brutally competitive division. Out of the trio that seem to have a shot at the division's crown in 2023, Pittsburgh has the most favorable schedule going forward. Rattling off six wins (including the Week 12 victory over the Bengals) is not going to be easy, but it sure is possible, and the Steelers would be rolling heading into the playoffs while getting their starters rest in Week 18 if Baltimore and Cleveland get to six losses prior.
Do you think there's any chance that the Steelers can win every game in December and clinch the division before Week 18? Let us know in the comments below!
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