There is only one week left in the 2024 NFL regular season.
All four AFC North teams will be in action on Saturday, with two games with significant playoff implications.
In the early Saturday morning game, baltimore ravens We have a chance to win against AFC in the AFC North. cleveland browns. The Ravens have already clinched a berth in the playoffs, but could even win the division in that contention.
Saturday night pittsburgh steelers to host cincinnati bengals. The Steelers have clinched a spot in the postseason, but even with the Ravens' loss earlier in the day, they still have a chance to win the AFC North. As for the Bengals, they need a win and some help to earn the No. 7 seed.
Here are the playoff scenarios for the Bengals and Steelers heading into Week 18.
steelers playoff photos
Pittsburgh has already clinched a playoff spot and enters Week 18 with a 10-6 record.
But the AFC North is still in their hands.
11-5 baltimore ravens They control their own fate as far as the division title goes, but if the Ravens lose to the AFC North, the Steelers could win. cleveland browns The Steelers defeated the Bengals early in Saturday's game.
This means Pittsburgh may learn their fate before Saturday night's game against Cincinnati. If Baltimore wins or ties Cleveland, the Ravens will become AFC North champions. But the Steelers still have room to play.
Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin shown earlier this week Even if the Ravens win the district title in the early games, they have no intention of resting any starters. 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.
bengals playoff photos
As for the Bengals, they need a win against Pittsburgh and some help to make the playoffs.
First of all, the Bengals need to win Saturday night. If they lose or tie with the Steelers, Cincinnati will be eliminated. As mentioned above, the Steelers may know their divisional fate before kickoff. Pittsburgh can still win the AFC North game, but it will require a loss to the overwhelming favorite, the Baltimore Ravens, who will face the Cleveland Browns in Saturday's opening game. However, if the Ravens win or tie early, the Steelers cannot win the division.
But even if the Steelers are eliminated from the division championship, head coach Mike Tomlin has indicated he won't rest his starting lineup against the Bengals. why? That's because if the Steelers lose, they could drop to the No. 6 seed, which would mean a trip to Baltimore for wild-card weekend. If the Steelers win against Cincinnati, they will earn a game against the No. 5 seed and No. 4 seed Houston Texans.
Now, assuming Cincinnati wins on Saturday night, the job is not done. Because the Bengals need it. denver broncos lose to kansas city chiefs Sunday (when the starting pitcher is rested), miami dolphins lose to or draw with new york jets.
Impact on tiebreaker
There are no significant tie-break implications for this match.
