Welcome to Week 18 of the 2024 NFL Regular Season.
While some games scheduled for Week 18 will not be a factor in determining the playoff standings, one game that will be a factor in determining the playoff standings will be played on Saturday. pittsburgh steelers and cincinnati bengals. The Steelers have already clinched a playoff berth, but enter Week 18 with a chance to win against the AFC North on Saturday.
As for the Bengals, they need a win and a lot of help to earn the final spot in the AFC playoffs.
Here's how the Steelers can win the AFC North game in Week 18.
Pittsburgh Steelers AFC North championship scenario
With a record of 10 wins and 6 losses, the Steelers have already clinched a playoff spot.
Pittsburgh still had a chance to win the AFC North game, but they won 11-5. baltimore ravens When it comes to division titles, we control our own destiny. Still, even if the Ravens lose the AFC North, the Steelers could still win the AFC North. cleveland browns The Steelers defeated the Bengals early in Saturday's game.
But the Ravens are in control of their own destiny, so the Steelers may find out their fate before Saturday night's game against Cincinnati begins. If Baltimore wins or ties Cleveland, the Ravens will become AFC North champions.
That could be an interesting decision for Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin. If the Ravens win, the Steelers won't win the division, but the head coach shown earlier this week In this scenario, the starting pitcher is not going to be rested. why? That's because, depending on the results of the league as a whole, there's still a chance the Steelers could slide into sixth place.
The 5th seed will participate in houston texans The Texans are locked into the No. 4 seed, so it comes during wild-card weekend. The No. 6 seed will play the No. 3 seed, and the winner of the AFC North will advance. Even if the Ravens win early in the game, Tomlin may want to play to win Saturday night to avoid facing Baltimore on Wild Card Weekend.
Pittsburgh Steelers seeding scenario
The Steelers can finish as high as the No. 3 seed in the AFC or as low as the No. 6 seed.
Let's start with the No. 3 seed, which is frankly the easiest scenario. With a win over the Bengals and a loss to the Ravens and Browns, the Pittsburgh Steelers are the No. 3 seed in the AFC. Baltimore will drop to 5th place. Los Angeles Chargers He will be the 6th seed.
However, there are several possibilities for the Steelers to finish fifth. If the Steelers win and the Ravens win or tie, Baltimore will win the division and Pittsburgh will slide into fifth place. If the Steelers tie with Cincinnati and the Los Angeles Chargers lose or tie las vegas raiderspinning the Steelers in fifth place. The same goes for both the Chargers and Steelers losses, as well as the Chargers loss and Ravens win or tie against Cleveland.
How can Pittsburgh slide into the No. 6 seed? If Pittsburgh loses to the Bengals and the Chargers win or tie the Raiders, the Chargers will be the No. 5 seed and the Steelers will be the No. 6 seed. Additionally, if the Steelers tie and the Chargers win, Los Angeles will be the fifth seed and Pittsburgh will be the sixth seed.
AFC standings heading into week 18
1.z-kansas city chiefs (15-1)
2.y-buffalo bills (13-3)
3.×-baltimore ravens (11-5)
4.y-houston texans (9-7)
5.×-pittsburgh steelers (10-6, victory over LAC)
6. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6, lost to PIT)*
7. denver broncos (9-7)*
8. miami dolphins (8-8, 6-5 AFC)*
9. cincinnati bengals (8-8, 5-6 AFC)*
10. indianapolis colts (7-9) — Eliminated
11. new york jets (4-12, 4-7 AFC, defeated JAX) — Eliminated
12. las vegas raiders (4-12, 3-8 AFC, defeated JAX) — Eliminated
13. jacksonville jaguars (4-12, 4-7 AFC, lost to NYJ & LV) — Lost
14. cleveland browns (3-13) — Eliminated
15. tennessee titans (3-13, win over NE) — Eliminated
16. New England Patriots (3-13, lost to TEN) — Eliminated
