The Pittsburgh Steelers remain the AFC North leaders entering Week 16 and they can wrap up the division in a few different ways on Sunday. Winning the top seed in the AFC is no longer a concern thanks to their loss on Monday night, however. The Steelers play Sunday afternoon against the Indianapolis Colts so that means we all get to sit back and watch all the Saturday Week 16 action. So, with that, here’s a look at a few other games Steelers fans might want to pay close attention to on Saturday and Sunday.
Miami Dolphins at Las Vegas Raiders – Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET, NFL Network
If the Dolphins are to make the playoffs and help keep the Baltimore Ravens out of them, they need to first win their final two games. The Raiders are likely to be eliminated in some way, shape or form in the final two weeks so root for the Dolphins to deliver the final blow on Saturday night in Las Vegas. A loss by the Dolphins Saturday results in the Ravens jumping into the No. 7 seed in Week 16 if they win their Sunday game.
Cleveland Browns at New York Jets – Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS
The Browns won in Week 15 and with the Steelers losing, they inched another game closer to the lead in the AFC North. The Browns, however, have no room for error when it comes to winning the division. They must first hope the Steelers lose to the Colts on Sunday while they beat the Jets on the road. If those two things happen, the Browns would have a chance to win the division in Week 17 by beating the Steelers at home. Root for the Browns to somehow lose to the Jets on Sunday if the Steelers lose to the Colts. That will guarantee the Steelers win the AFC North in Week 16 and would make the Week 17 game between the Steelers and Browns very important for only Cleveland and thus they would need to play their starters while Pittsburgh sits a good many of their own. If, however, the Steelers beat the Colts on Sunday, a Browns Sunday win over the Jets would not be a bad thing if you’re hoping for the Ravens to not make the playoffs.
New York Giants at Baltimore Ravens – Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX
The Ravens playoff hopes are very much alive entering Week 16 even with them on the outside of the seven-team bubble at the No. 8 spot. There are six teams battling for four remaining playoff spots entering Week 16 and that list is sure to shrink by one this weekend. The Ravens path to a playoff spot is very strong if they win their final two games with the first of them being at home on Sunday against the New York Giants. A Sunday loss to the Giants, however, would really cripple their chances. There’s never been a better time to root against the Ravens. If they make the playoffs, there is a good chance they will play the Steelers in the Wild Card round.
Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots – Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN
The Steelers can get the No. 2 seed in the AFC by finishing a half game or better ahead of the Bills. Is that a big deal? I guess it depends on which team is ultimately the No. 7 seed. If you would like to see the Steelers play the Dolphins in the first round of the playoffs, the Steelers will likely need to be the No. 2 seed for such a matchup to occur. The perks of having the No. 2 seed aren’t that great so if the Bills beat the Patriots Monday night, it won’t be the end of the world.
