The Steelers lost their AFC North lead on Christmas Day.
The Steelers finally fell in the AFC playoff picture after their third straight loss, a 29-10 drubbing against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Christmas Day was an important day for the AFC playoff picture. By beating the Steelers, the Chiefs officially clinched the conference’s No. 1 seed, guaranteeing Kansas City a bye through the first round of the playoffs.
The Steelers’ loss and Baltimore’s win over the Texans meant the Ravens leapfrogged Pittsburgh in the AFC standings. The Ravens now hold the No. 3 seed while the Steelers have dropped to No. 5. Houston stays at No. 4 due to having already won a weak AFC South despite its recent struggles.
The Steelers can still win the AFC North with a win next week plus a Ravens loss. Regardless of how Pittsburgh finishes the regular season, it’s guaranteed a playoff spot. All that matters heading into Week 18 is health, seeding, and momentum.
The current AFC standings are listed below. Teams that would be in the playoffs if the season ended today are marked with an asterisk. Pittsburgh has already recorded wins over the current Nos. 3, 6 and 7 seeds this season. (Pittsburgh has also now lost to the Nos. 1 and 3 seeds as well).
AFC standings during Week 17
1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1)* — clinched No. 1 seed
2. Buffalo Bills (12-3)* — clinched division
3. Baltimore Ravens (11-5)* — clinched playoff spot
4. Houston Texans (9-7)* — clinched division
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)* — clinched playoff spot
6. Los Angeles Chargers (9-6)*
7. Denver Broncos (9-6)*
8. Indianapolis Colts (7-8)
9. Miami Dolphins (7-8)
10. Cincinnati Bengals (7-8)
11. New York Jets (4-11) — eliminated
12. Cleveland Browns (3-12) — eliminated
13. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12) — eliminated
14. Tennessee Titans (3-12) — eliminated
15. Las Vegas Raiders (3-12) — eliminated
16. New England Patriots (3-12) — eliminated
Steelers odds per FanDuel
To win the AFC North: Currently unavailable
To win the AFC Championship: +1700
To win the Super Bowl: +4000 (+3700 ahead of Week 17)