Steelers Playoff Chances: What does Pittsburgh need to earn an AFC playoff spot? 

The Pittsburgh Steelers came into this game with the Baltimore Ravens, knowing nothing less than a win would do to have a chance at maintaining Mike Tomlin's proud winning record. They entered the game with a 7-8 record, and another loss today would have put them at 7-9, with no chance of getting to a plus 0.500 record.

Perhaps more importantly in the short term, they also needed to win to keep their chances of qualifying for the NFL playoffs. That they were still in with a chance to make the playoffs was due to their old rivals doing them a favor. The New England Patriots had defeated the Miami Dolphins 23-21 earlier today to give the Steelers a stay of execution.

The situation entering this game was therefore relatively straightforward. Both the Miami Dolphins and the New England Patriots were now 8-8, with the Steelers one game behind. This is how the scenario added up for them.

Pittsburgh Steelers End of Week 17, 2022 NFL playoff qualification scenario

A win today would have put the Steelers 8-8 and tied them with the Dolphins and the Patriots. However, these teams have played each other earlier in the season.

Both New England and Miami have defeated Pittsburgh earlier in the season, and accordingly hold the head-to-head record. So, in effect, the Steelers would be half a game behind the Patriots and the Dolphins despite a win.

Hence, going into the final week of the season, the equation would have been simple. If the Steelers had won, they would have needed the Patriots and the Dolphins to either lose or tie. If the Steelers tied their last game, they would have required both New England and Miami to lose.

Again, to reiterate, all of these scenarios would have only worked if Pittsburgh defeated their division rivals Baltimore today. In a cagey game today against their AFC North rivals, the Steelers tried their best.

Their defense and rushing game worked overtime to help rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett's passing game. They entered the final quarter down just 4 points, 13-9. They had limited their opposition to just one touchdown.

In the end, as has been the story of the entire season, the Steelers roared back just when everyone else had written them off. A 16 - 13 win now allows them to qualify for the playoffs next week if the other results go their way. They can also, equally importantly, maintain Mike Tomlin's longstanding winning record.