The Steelers have already clinched the AFC North Division and a first-round playoff bye, but there is still one more scenario that could play out in Week 17 of the NFL season.
The Steelers could still clinch home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs if they defeat the Cleveland Browns on Sunday at Heinz Field, and the New England Patriots lose to or tie the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium. Both games kick off at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
Another scenario that would secure home-field advantage would be the Steelers tying the Browns, and the Patriots losing to the Jets.
The Steelers can finish no lower than the No. 2 seed in the AFC, and will have a home game at Heinz Field the weekend of Jan. 13-14.
2017 NFL PLAYOFF SCENARIOS FOR WEEK 17
AFC
CLINCHED: New England – AFC East division title and first-round bye
Pittsburgh – AFC North division title and first-round bye
Jacksonville – AFC South division title
Kansas City – AFC West division title
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (12-3) (vs. Cleveland (0-15), Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET)
Pittsburgh clinches home-field advantage throughout AFC playoffs with:
1) PIT win NE loss or tie OR
2) PIT tie NE loss
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (12-3) (vs. New York Jets (5-10), Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET)
New England clinches home-field advantage throughout AFC playoffs with:
1) NE win OR
2) PIT lossOR
3) NE tie PIT tie
BALTIMORE RAVENS (9-6) (vs. Cincinnati (6-9), Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)
Baltimore clinches a playoff berth with:
1) BAL win or tie OR
2) BUF loss or tie OR
3) TEN loss or tie
TENNESSEE TITANS (8-7) (vs. Jacksonville (10-5), Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)
Tennessee clinches a playoff berth with:
1) TEN win OR
2) TEN tie BUF loss or tie LAC loss or tie OR
3) BUF loss LAC loss
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (8-7) (vs. Oakland (6-9), Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)
Los Angeles clinches a playoff berth with:
1) LAC win TEN loss or tie BUF loss or tie OR
2) LAC win TEN loss or tie BAL win or tie OR
3) LAC tie TEN loss BUF loss or tie
BUFFALO BILLS (8-7) (at Miami (6-9), Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)
Buffalo clinches a playoff berth with:
1) BUF win BAL loss OR
2) BUF win LAC loss or tie TEN loss or tie OR
3) BUF tie LAC loss TEN loss
NFC
CLINCHED: Philadelphia – NFC East division title and home-field advantage throughout NFC playoffs
Minnesota – NFC North division title
Los Angeles Rams – NFC West division title
New Orleans – playoff berth
Carolina – playoff berth
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (12-3) (vs. Chicago (5-10), Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET)
Minnesota clinches a first-round bye with:
1) MIN win or tie OR
2) CAR loss or tie OR
3) NO win OR
4) LAR win
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (11-4) (at Tampa Bay (4-11), Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)
New Orleans clinches NFC South division title with:
1) NO win OR
2) CAR loss OR
3) NO tie CAR tie
CAROLINA PANTHERS (11-4) (at Atlanta (9-6), Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)
Carolina clinches NFC South division title with:
1) CAR win NO loss or tie OR
2) CAR tie NO loss
Carolina clinches a first-round bye with:
1) CAR win NO loss or tie MIN loss LAR loss or tie
ATLANTA FALCONS (9-6) (vs. Carolina (11-4), Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)
Atlanta clinches a playoff berth with:
1) ATL win OR
2) SEA loss OR
3) ATL tie SEA tie
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (9-6) (vs. Arizona (7-8), Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)
Seattle clinches a playoff berth with:
1) SEA win ATL loss or tie OR 2) SEA tie ATL loss
