The win Sunday by the Pittsburgh Steelers over the Baltimore Ravens was big in itself, but it also prevented Baltimore from securing a playoff berth in addition.
The Ravens entered the game Sunday only needing a win to secure a spot in the tournament. They also could have wrapped up the AFC North in addition had they beat the Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals lost to the San Diego Chargers. Of course neither of those two things happened and the Ravens now have a very, very remote risk of not even making the playoffs.
The Raven remaining four games are against the Washington Redskins, Denver Broncos, New York Giants, and the Bengals. Surely they can win one of those four games to ensure they get 10 wins and lock up a playoff spot, but none of those games are slam dunks. Do I think they ultimately get in? Yes, but the Steelers now have a remote shot at not only making the playoffs, but winning the North as well should they win out and the Ravens drop three of their four.
Pipe dream? Perhaps.
It would have been nice to see both the Indianapolis Colts and the Bengals lose on Sunday, but they didn\’t. The two Wild Card spots in the AFC are still very much up in the air with the Colts, Bengals and the Steelers all battling for them.
Right now the Steelers can\’t concern themselves with what the other teams do. That\’s for us fans to do. They took care of business Sunday against the Ravens and must now turn their attention to the Chargers.
Regardless of what the other teams do the next few weeks, the Steelers remain on a collision course with the Bengals in Week 16. That game will most likely decide the last playoff spot. That is what matters the most right now. The rest will take care of itself.
