This Sunday’s Steelers vs Browns matchup has huge playoff implications for the Steelers. Not only can they give themselves a two game cushion in the division, a win will get them razor close to clinching a playoff spot. While a loss wouldn’t be devastating, it would throw the team into a dogfight for the division. With the Eagles, Ravens, and Chiefs upcoming in the span of 10 days, the Browns game becomes incredibly important. Let’s look at the scenarios for both the division, and an overall playoff spot look like with 5 games to go:
Claiming a playoff spot:
The Denver Broncos currently hold the final playoff spot in the AFC with a two game lead on the Indianapolis Colts. Pittsburgh has the tiebreaker in head to head over Denver, but not over Indianapolis. Both team are on a bye this week. A win on Sunday would put the Steelers essentially 3 games ahead of the Broncos with four to play (Steelers hold tiebreaker). There’s still a slim chance the Dolphins could sneak into the final playoff spot, but they currently have a 10% chance according to NFL.com.
Claiming the AFC North:
The Steelers can also get a two game lead on the Ravens with a win over the Browns. There’s still one more game to be played between these two December 21st in Baltimore. This is where a win against Cleveland becomes so important. Should the teams end up tied, division record is the next tiebreaker. Given that the Steelers can do no worse than a split head to head with Baltimore, division games become critical. Pittsburgh is (2-1) in the AFC North, while Baltimore is (2-2). Just beating the Browns and Bengals regardless to what happens the rest of the schedule would give the Steelers a strangle hold on the division. In that scenario, the Ravens would have to go undefeated the rest of the season to finish ahead of Pittsburgh in the North. A win on Sunday, and a win over the Ravens in Baltimore would also secure a division title for the Steelers.
Claiming the number one seed:
Believe it or not the Steelers are very much alive for the number one seed in the AFC. They will need a bit of help however. Pittsburgh would need Buffalo and Kansas City to lose at least one more game, and the Steelers would have to win out. Both teams have better division, and conference records as well. The Steelers have a game against Kansas City still to come. It’s a bit of a long shot for this team to get that coveted one seed and a bye in the opening round, but stranger things have happened.
Overview:
Any way you slice it, the Steelers really need a win over the Browns on Sunday. A loss there would drag them back into the pack in the AFC playoff picture. There’s no overstating how important this Steelers vs Browns game is. They can not afford to slip up with so much at stake. Pittsburgh is 19-1 against the Browns at Acrisure stadium over the last 20 games. Keeping that record at one loss would go a long way to big things in the 2024 post season.
Check out the latest Steelers Sanctuary Podcast where we do an in depth breakdown of the Browns game here:https://www.buzzsprout.com/1981237/episodes/16232711-episode-69-browns-preview