Crazy Scenario Has Steelers Clinching Playoff Spot By Week 13

The Pittsburgh Steelers weren't necessarily expected to have control of their own destiny in regards to the number one overall seed in the AFC entering Week 12. Mike Tomlin's team has done an incredible job to this point in the season and officially entered the conversation with the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills. It's pretty simple: win out and finish with a record of 15-2 to capture a first-round bye. That's unlikely, but the franchise will take it one game at a time and see what happens. The first order of business is locking a spot up in the competitive playoff picture.

A lot will be on the line over the course of the organization's final seven regular season contests, but checking off the box of a playoff appearance may be coming sooner than many expected. Given the current state of the conference, the Steelers could end up already punching a ticket to the postseason following a Week 13 matchup versus the Cincinnati Bengals. 

First things first, however, and it all starts with taking down the Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football. For the purpose of the scenario, this is all put in motion if Tomlin and co. win in Weeks 12 and 13. Then, with a little bit of help from the New England Patriots, Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh could be postseason bound once again.

The Steelers currently have a 99% chance of making the playoffs, according to CBS Sports. That will go up to 100 if the Patriots beat the Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts in back-to-back weeks, as well as the Lions taking down the Colts in Week 12, and Packers beating up on the Dolphins in Week 13. There's a little bit going on there, but to even have the possibility of clinching a berth to the tournament this early is a breath of fresh air for Steelers fans.

This is a pretty simple scenario to understand. The two losses in a row for both the Colts and Dolphins leave them both with eight losses. Pittsburgh getting to 10 wins guarantees seven or less losses for the year, which in turn, certifies a spot in the playoffs with every other AFC team not in the postseason picture having eight losses already. Seeding will very much be up in the air, as well as the AFC North division, but clinching one of the seven tickets in Week 13 would be incredibly impressive.

This all does rely on the Patriots, which makes it all the more unlikely, but Drake Maye has impressed during his rookie season and will be looking to play spoiler, especially to a division rival in the Dolphins. It's extremely possible that two playoff-caliber teams in the Lions and Packers take care of the Colts and Dolphins, respectively.

Fans in Pittsburgh will enjoy the idea of watching a playoff game for a brief moment if this plays out perfectly, but there is plenty of work to be done. If the Steelers do end up improving to 10-2 over the next two weeks, all eyes will be on a five-game win streak to end the season, which would grant the Steel City the opportunity to host the road to Super Bowl LIX in the AFC.

Steelers Entering Potential Trap Game Against AFC North Division Rival

The Browns have been one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL in 2024. Despite being a two-win team, everything is thrown out the window when these two franchises face off. Cleveland will be looking to play spoiler after Pittsburgh secured a two-game lead (in the loss column) over the Ravens in Week 11. No one in the locker room is currently thinking about punching a playoff ticket against the Bengals, but the prospect of it occurring that early is certainly attractive.

Do you think that the Steelers will take care of business against the Browns? When do you think the team will clinch a playoff spot? Let us know in the comments below!

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