The Pittsburgh Steelers currently have a good chance of making the playoffs after taking down the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football in Week 15. They have the lead over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North, while the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns have both already been eliminated from contention. The best way for either Pittsburgh or Baltimore to make it into the postseason is by winning the division, as a Wild Card spot seems like a long shot (but possible). The Steelers and Ravens clash in Week 18, which could essentially be a playoff game.
AP photo
Steelers' Jalen Ramsey speaks with Head Coach Mike Tomlin during a game.
The fan base in Pittsburgh is tired of the Steelers just doing enough to make the playoffs, which has been the case over the last several years. It has been nearly a decade since the team has won a postseason contest. However, this year is different, but it's not because the Steelers are elite. Baltimore's early season skid has left the division open for Pittsburgh, which could allow the organization to host its first playoff game since the 2020 season.
The Week 18 matchup with Baltimore in Pittsburgh could be a win or go home type of game that will decide the winner of the division, but there are also a few scenarios where Pittsburgh could win the division prior to Week 18.
Two important factors to consider going into this last stretch of the season are both teams' remaining schedules. The Steelers take on the Detroit Lions in Week 16, Cleveland in Week 17, and then Baltimore in the regular season finale as mentioned. Baltimore's schedule is a little tougher. The Ravens face the New England Patriots in Week 16, the Green Bay Packers in Week 17, and then Pittsburgh in Week 18.
Benjamin B. Braun / Post-Gazette
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin and Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh meet near midfield to shake hands after a professional football game at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD.
Most Steelers fans would rather see the team clinch before Week 18, that way the last week of the regular season is relatively stress free. One way to do that would be Pittsburgh winning over both Detroit and Cleveland, while the Ravens lose one of their games against either New England or Green Bay.
The second way that Pittsburgh could clinch the division prior to Week 18 would be the Steelers splitting their games with the Lions and the Browns, while the Ravens lose to both the Patriots and the Packers.
New England and Green Bay have been two of the better teams in the league in 2025. The game against New England takes place in Baltimore, and the Ravens are favored to win the matchup. The Ravens then have to travel to Green Bay to take on the Packers. Baltimore losing both of those games is a strong possibility, and all Pittsburgh would have to do is win one of its next two matchups.
Steelers Are Also A Long Shot To Secure A Wild Card Spot
The AFC North will likely only have one playoff team for the 2025 season after the division had such a down year, but there is a chance that the Steelers could clinch a spot through the Wild Card. It would likely take Pittsburgh winning its next two games against Detroit and Cleveland, and then a loss in Baltimore to give the Ravens the division (assuming Baltimore wins its next two games). This would leave the Ravens atop the division with a record of 10-7, and the Steelers in second place in the AFC North also with a record of 10-7.
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Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers throws downfield during Pittsburgh's 27-22 win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
Pittsburgh's only real shot would be the seventh seed in the AFC, which is currently held by the Houston Texans at 9-5. Houston holds the tie-breaker over Pittsburgh, so that chance to clinch would take a miracle for Pittsburgh.
What do you think about the Steelers clinching a playoff berth early? Let us know in the comments below!
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