Steelers Take Command in AFC North Race with Crucial Win Over Dolphins
The Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t just walk off the field Monday night with a 28-15 win over the Miami Dolphins - they walked into the driver’s seat of the AFC North. At 8-6, the Steelers now hold a slim but significant edge over the 7-7 Baltimore Ravens, and more importantly, they’ve taken control of their own playoff destiny.
Let’s break down why this win means more than just another tally in the win column - and how the path to the division crown now runs straight through Pittsburgh.
The Tiebreaker That Changes Everything
Back in Week 14, the Steelers edged out the Ravens 27-22 in a tight one. That head-to-head win already gave Pittsburgh an edge, but here’s the kicker: the two teams will meet again in Week 18, this time at Acrisure Stadium. If Pittsburgh can pull off the season sweep, they clinch the division - plain and simple - no matter what happens in the next two weeks.
That’s the beauty of divisional tiebreakers. If the Steelers beat the Ravens again, they’ll hold the head-to-head advantage, and that’s the trump card in a tight race like this.
What’s Left on the Schedule?
Before we get to that all-important Week 18 showdown, both teams have a pair of games to navigate - and the schedules aren’t created equal.
- Steelers: at Detroit Lions (8-6), at Cleveland Browns (3-11)
- Ravens: vs. New England Patriots (11-3), at Green Bay Packers (9-4-1)
Let’s be honest - Baltimore’s road is steeper. They’ve got two playoff-caliber opponents, including a Patriots team that’s been one of the league’s most consistent all season. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has a tough road trip to Detroit next, but then they face a Browns team that’s struggled mightily all year.
Here’s where it gets interesting: by the time Pittsburgh lines up against Cleveland in Week 17, they’ll already know how the Ravens fared against Green Bay the night before. That could influence how the Steelers approach that game - especially with some key players banged up.
To Rest or Not to Rest?
It’s the classic late-season dilemma: do you push all your chips in now, or do you rest your stars and save your best hand for the finale?
T.J. Watt missed Monday’s win with a partially collapsed lung - a serious injury that casts doubt on his availability in the short term.
Whether he returns before Week 18 is still up in the air. And he’s not the only one on the mend.
Starting left guard Isaac Seumalo exited Monday’s game with a triceps injury, and rookie edge rusher Nick Herbig was dealing with a hamstring issue by the final whistle. Add in the fact that starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers is 42 and has a lengthy injury history dating back to 2021, and the idea of resting key veterans in Week 17 starts to make a lot more sense.
If the Steelers know that the division will come down to Week 18 - and that nothing they do against Cleveland can change that - it’s not out of the question that Mike Tomlin could opt to give some of his stars a breather.
What’s at Stake
This isn’t just about a playoff berth - it’s about a home game, a division title, and momentum heading into January. The Steelers have fought through adversity all season, from injuries to inconsistent play, but now they’re in position to write their own ending.
Beat the Ravens in Week 18, and they win the AFC North. It’s that simple. But how they manage the next two weeks - especially with injuries piling up and playoff math in play - could be the difference between a deep postseason run and an early exit.
The countdown to Week 18 is officially on.