It's not the scenario anybody wants, but if the playoffs were to start today the Steelers would find themselves on the outside looking in.
A week ago the Steelers held the fifth spot, which would have had them as the top seeded wild card team. But after a 39-30 loss to the Seattle Seahawks they have dropped to the eighth seed. While they have an identical 6-5 record with three teams ahead of them in the standings, Kansas City, Houston and the New York Jets, the Steelers conference record would have them losing tie breakers.
The good news, though, is the playoffs don't start today. There are still five games left to play and as we have all seen a lot can happen over that stretch. A whole lot.
The Steelers remaining schedule includes this Sunday against Indianapolis, and then a road game against AFC North division leading Cincinnati. It's then back home against Denver, before closing out the regular season on the road against Baltimore and Cleveland.
The other three teams at 6-5 have the following games remaining:
Kansas City: at Oakland, San Diego, at Baltimore, Cleveland, Oakland
Houston: at Buffalo, New England, at Indianapolis, at Tennessee, Jacksonville
New York Jets: at New York Giants, Tennessee, at Dallas, New England, at Buffalo
Here is a look at the playoff picture.
AFC Standings:
Division Leaders
New England Patriots – 10-1 – East
Cincinnati Bengals – 9-2 – North
Denver Broncos – 9-2 – West
Indianapolis Colts – 6-5 - South
Wild Card
Kansas City Chiefs – 6-5
Houston Texans – 6-5
In the Hunt
New York Jets – 6-5
Pittsburgh Steelers – 6-5
Oakland Raiders – 5-6
Buffalo Bills – 5-6
