The Pittsburgh Steelers have already punched their ticket to the NFL playoffs.
But they have bigger dreams than just a dancing spot.
Mike Tomlin and the team had a chance to win the AFC North in Week 16, but a loss to the Baltimore Ravens not only cost their rivals a playoff berth of their own, but also cost Baltimore the AFC North title. This means that their chance to win the district championship has been lost.
Both teams are now back in action on Christmas Day, with the Steelers taking on the Kansas City Chiefs and the Ravens traveling to Houston to take on the Texans, but the AFC North remains in doubt. .
Here's what Wednesday's game means for the Steelers and their hopes of winning a district title.
Steelers AFC North title deciding scenario
The Steelers had a chance to win the AFC North title last week against the Ravens, but Baltimore's win in Week 16 ended any chance for Pittsburgh to lock up the division.
Currently, both the Steelers and Ravens are 10-5 on the season. This means both teams have two games left and neither team can win the district title on Christmas Day.
If Pittsburgh and Baltimore win their final two games, they will be tied at 12 wins and 5 losses. In this scenario, Pittsburgh would win the division thanks to the AFC record tiebreaker. With the two teams in the AFC North splitting their season series, Pittsburgh will finish with a better record in the conference at 9-3 than 8-4.
(Baltimore lost to the team earlier in the season) las vegas raiders (which is a big problem in this scenario).
Thanks to this tiebreaker advantage, the Steelers still have the upper hand in the AFC North race. However, the Ravens have a slightly easier schedule. Baltimore will play the 9-6 Texans on Christmas Day, but will end the season against the lowly Cleveland Browns.
Meanwhile, the Steelers will face the 14-1 Chiefs (who can clinch first place in the conference with a win on Wednesday) and the 7-8 Cincinnati Bengals, who will be fighting for a playoff spot.
AFC standings heading into week 17
1.y-kansas city chiefs (14-1)
2.y-buffalo bills (12-3)
3.×-pittsburgh steelers (10-5, 7-3 AFC)
4.y-houston texans (9-6)
5.×-baltimore ravens (10-5, 6-4 AFC)
6. Los Angeles Chargers (9-6, victory over DEN)*
7. denver broncos (9-6, lost to Los Angeles)*
8. indianapolis colts (7-8, 6-5 AFC wins over MIA)*
9. miami dolphins (7-8, 5-5 AFC, lost to IND)*
10. cincinnati bengals (7-8, 4-6 AFC)*
11. New York Jets (4-11) — Eliminated
12. cleveland browns (3-12, 3-7 AFC. Victory over JAX) — Lost
13. jacksonville jaguars (3-12, won against TEN, lost 3-7 AFC, CLE) — Lost
14. tennessee titans (3-12, 3-7 AFC) — Lost
15. las vegas raiders (3-12, 3-8) — Eliminated
16. New England Patriots (3-12, 2-8) — Lost
Teams marked with an asterisk
excluded from division competition
Teams marked with (x) have qualified for the playoffs
The team marked with (y) won the division
