Welcome to Week 18 of the 2024 NFL common season.
Whereas among the video games on the Week 18 slate is not going to issue into figuring out playoff positions, one recreation that can is Saturday’s contest between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals. Whereas the Steelers have already clinched a playoff spot, they enter Week 18 with an outdoor likelihood at successful the AFC North on Saturday.
As for the Bengals they want a win — and quite a lot of assist — simply to clinch the ultimate AFC playoff spot.
Right here is how the Steelers can win the AFC North in Week 18.
Pittsburgh Steelers AFC North clinching situations
With a 10-6 document, the Steelers have already clinched a playoff spot.
Pittsburgh nonetheless has an opportunity at successful the AFC North, however the 11-5 Baltimore Ravens management their future with regards to the division title. Nonetheless, the Steelers can win the AFC North if the Ravens lose to the Cleveland Browns within the early recreation on Saturday, and the Steelers defeat the Bengals.
Nonetheless, for the reason that Ravens management their very own future, the Steelers would possibly know their destiny earlier than Saturday night time’s recreation in opposition to Cincinnati kicks off. If Baltimore wins or ties in opposition to Cleveland, the Ravens are AFC North champions.
That would make for an fascinating determination for Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin. A Ravens win would imply the Steelers can not clinch the division, however the head coach indicated earlier this week that he wouldn’t be resting his starters on this state of affairs. Why? As a result of relying on outcomes across the league there’s nonetheless an opportunity the Steelers slide down into the No. 6 spot.
The No. 5 seed will play the Houston Texans on Wild Card Weekend, because the Texans are locked into the No. 4 seed. The No. 6 seed performs the No. 3 seed, which is able to go to the AFC North winner. Even when the Ravens win within the early recreation, Tomlin would possibly wish to play to win Saturday night time to keep away from a gathering with Baltimore on Wild Card Weekend.
Pittsburgh Steelers seeding situations
The Steelers can end as excessive because the No. 3 seed within the AFC, or as little as the No. 6.
Let’s begin with the No. 3 seed, which is frankly the best state of affairs. With a win over the Bengals, and a Ravens loss to the Browns, the Pittsburgh Steelers are the No. 3 seed within the AFC. Baltimore would slide all the way down to No. 5, and the Los Angeles Chargers can be the No. 6 seed.
Nonetheless, there are a couple of alternative ways the Steelers can find yourself at No. 5. If the Steelers win and the Ravens win or tie, then Baltimore wins the division, and Pittsburgh slides all the way down to No. 5. A Steelers tie in opposition to Cincinnati, and a Los Angeles Chargers loss or tie in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders, locks the Steelers into the No. 5 spot. The identical goes for each a Chargers and a Steelers loss, in addition to a Chargers loss coupled with a Ravens win or tie in opposition to Cleveland.
How can Pittsburgh slide to the No. 6 seed? If Pittsburgh loses to the Bengals, and the Chargers win or tie in opposition to the Raiders, then the Chargers are the No. 5 seed and the Steelers the No. 6 seed. As well as, a Steelers tie and a Chargers win locks Los Angeles into the No. 5 seed, and Pittsburgh into the No. 6.
AFC standings coming into Week 18
1. z-Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (15-1)
2. y-Buffalo Payments (13-3)
3. x-Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
4. y-Houston Texans (9-7)
5. x-Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6, win over LAC)
6. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6, loss 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) — eradicated
11. New York Jets (4-12, 4-7 AFC, win over JAX) — eradicated
12. Las Vegas Raiders (4-12, 3-8 AFC, win over JAX) — eradicated
13. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12, 4-7 AFC, loss to NYJ & LV) — eradicated
14. Cleveland Browns (3-13) — eradicated
15. Tennessee Titans (3-13, win over NE) — eradicated
16. New England Patriots (3-13, loss to TEN) — eradicated