NFL playoff overview: Ways the Pittsburgh Steelers can secure a playoff spot in Week 18

The 2025 NFL Regular Season Wraps Up with a Key Matchup

The NFL regular season of 2025 wraps up on Sunday night, featuring a showdown between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens in what’s sure to be an exciting edition of Sunday Night Football.

This game has big playoff implications since the winner will secure the AFC North title.

Both teams are getting some key players back from injuries just in time for this rivalry match. Lamar Jackson, the Ravens’ quarterback, is set to return after dealing with a back injury sustained against the New England Patriots in Week 16. Meanwhile, for the Steelers, TJ Watt is coming back after a tough experience involving a collapsed lung while getting treatment for psoriasis.

Pittsburgh Steelers Playoff Scenarios

It’s pretty straightforward for both teams facing off this Sunday night.

The victor will claim the AFC North crown. Currently, the Steelers hold the division lead with a 9-7 record, having edged out the Ravens in their previous encounter this season. If the Ravens win, they’ll finish the season with a 10-7 record.

On the flip side, if the Steelers lose, both teams will end up tied at 9-8. Given that they split the season series, the next tiebreaker will focus on each team’s divisional record. Heading into Week 18, both the Steelers and Ravens are sitting at 3-2 in their divisional matchups.

This means that the winner of Sunday’s clash would move up to 4-2, while the loser would drop to 3-3. So, if the Ravens come out on top, they’ll match the Steelers’ overall record but improve their divisional standing enough to clinch the AFC North title.

The winning team in this division will enter the playoffs as the No. 4 seed, facing one of the three wild-card teams. The losing side will have to navigate an offseason filled with uncertainty, particularly about the future of their head coach. According to Adam Schefter from ESPN, whether it’s Mike Tomlin or John Harbaugh, there’s potential for some major changes this offseason.

“They’re going to have a big say,” Schefter mentioned regarding Tomlin and Harbaugh. “One of them might say, ‘It’s been a great run. Maybe it’s time to try something new.’” It’s unclear what each might pursue next—who knows, maybe a TV role or something entirely different could be on the horizon. The possibilities after Week 18 are quite varied.