The Steelers' Easiest Path To The Postseason Is Clearing Up After An Unexpected Injury In The AFC South

The Pittsburgh Steelers fell victim to the quarterback injury plague in 2023 when Kenny Pickett went down with an ankle injury that required surgery at the beginning of December. Many signal-callers throughout the league have gone down, and several had seasons-ending injuries. It has become the year of the backup quarterback and, in some cases, the third-stringers. Mason Rudolph stepped up in a big way for the organization and led the team to victory in a Week 16 clash against the Cincinnati Bengals. The ailments throughout the league are significantly affecting the race to the playoffs. 

A division that has caused the Steelers problems in 2023 has the ability to shut down or help with Pittsburgh's desire to compete for a championship. A 1-3 record versus the AFC South is one of the biggest reasons why Mike Tomlin and co. need some help to get into the postseason. The top three teams have all had quarterback injury troubles, with the latest potentially being the reason why the Steelers sneak in the playoffs come January.

Steelers Could End Up Being Beneficiary Of Trevor Lawrence Injury

CJ Stroud of the Houston Texans missed Weeks 15 and 16 with a concussion, Indianapolis Colts' starting quarterback Anthony Richardson got surgery on his shoulder and won't compete until 2024, and now, Jacksonville Jaguars signal-caller Trevor Lawrence is dealing with an ailment that could derail the franchise's Super Bowl hopes.

The Jaguars will take on the Carolina Panthers in Week 17, but they aren't to be taken lightly as of late. Bryce Young is starting to show signs of being a franchise quarterback and almost defeated a tough Green Bay Packers squad most recently. Resting Lawrence to let him heal up a bit more could lead to a damaging loss for Jacksonville at home.

It seems as if there are hundreds of different ways in which the Steelers can get into the postseason, but one is much more simple than the rest. Pittsburgh needs to win out and needs just one loss from the Jaguars. Lawrence's injury could certainly shake things up and an unexpected loss against the Panthers is all the Steelers need to control their own destiny.

It is impossible for both the Texans and Colts to have 10 wins as they face off in the season's final week. If two AFC South teams have eight losses (or less than 10 wins in the event of a tie), Pittsburgh will waltz their way into the playoffs if they can defeat the Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens. Unfortunately for Steelers fans, a Baltimore win in Week 17 also gives the team a huge boost in the playoff race.

The Ravens will clinch the AFC's first seed if they prevail over the Miami Dolphins. This helps the Steelers in two ways. Baltimore would likely rest their starters for a portion (or all) of a Week 18 bout with Pittsburgh, and it also forces Miami into a must-win situation over the Buffalo Bills in Week 18 if the Bills win in Week 17. That is another simple scenario for Pittsburgh. Winning out along with one Buffalo loss gets the job done, but a Jacksonville loss versus the Panthers makes things more simple.

Attempting to figure out each separate way the Steelers can enter the playoffs will hurt the average person's brain. It was never thought that the Jaguars could miss out on the postseason, but now, after four straight losses, their season is on the line in the final two weeks of the regular season. Pittsburgh needs to take care of business on their end, but the injury to Lawrence significantly swings the Jaguars' chances if their starting quarterback is unable to play in Week 17.

Do you think the Steelers will find a way to sneak into the playoffs? Let us know in the comments below! 

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