Steelers Learn Identity of Potential Playoff Opponent

Just one playoff spot remains in the AFC entering the final week of the regular season, as the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens will face one another in an AFC North title game at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday night, but the winner of that game gets a home playoff game, and the opponent has been revealed.

The rest of the other six AFC playoff teams had already been decided entering Week 18, with the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos having each clinched their division and a home playoff game, and the Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars and Los Angeles Chargers all securing playoff berths.

There’s plenty still at stake in the final week of the regular season, including the AFC No. 1 seed and first-round bye, which can still go to the Broncos, Jaguars and Patriots. The Broncos are in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 seed and will clinch it with a win when they host the Los Angeles Chargers at 4:25 p.m. on Sunday.

In the AFC South, the Jaguars guaranteed themselves a home playoff date by beating the Tennessee Titans, 41-7. The Houston Texans beat the Indianapolis Colts, 38-30, but the Jacksonville win means the Texans are locked into the No. 5 seed.

The winner of the Steelers and Ravens showdown on Sunday Night Football is locked into the No. 4 seed, meaning Houston will travel to the home stadium of the AFC North champ.

In addition to a win over the Ravens, the Steelers can also win the AFC North with a tie against Baltimore on Sunday night.

AFC PLAYOFF PICTURE ENTERING WEEK 18

1. Denver Broncos** 13-3
2. New England Patriots** 13-3
3. Jacksonville Jaguars* 12-4
4. Pittsburgh Steelers 9-7
5. Houston Texans* 11-5
6. Los Angeles Chargers* 11-5
7. Buffalo Bills* 11-5

~ In the hunt:
9. Baltimore Ravens 8-8

~ Eliminated:
8. Indianapolis Colts 8-8
10. Miami Dolphins 7-9
11. Cincinnati Bengals 6-10
12. Kansas City Chiefs 6-10
13. Cleveland Browns 4-12
14. Tennessee Titans 3-13
15. New York Jets 3-13
16. Las Vegas Raiders 2-14