The Steelers came into Week 13 with momentum and a real shot at seizing control of the AFC North. But after a rough loss to the Bills, they’re suddenly in a much tighter spot. What looked like a promising path to the playoffs has turned into a dogfight, and Pittsburgh no longer has the margin for error it enjoyed just a week ago.
Before kickoff, the Steelers were sitting pretty-playoff odds hovering above 64%, and a division lead thanks to the Ravens’ Thanksgiving stumble against the Bengals. But Buffalo had other plans.
The loss not only dented Pittsburgh’s record, it dropped their postseason chances to about 52%, with their odds of winning the AFC North now just a tick over 51%. Still in the mix?
Absolutely. But the safety net is gone.
From here on out, the math is simple: win the division. With the AFC Wild Card race shaping up to be a logjam-teams like the Jaguars, Texans, Chiefs, and Bills all crowding the picture-it’s becoming clear that the North might only send one team to the dance.
That puts the pressure squarely on Pittsburgh to take care of its own business. No scoreboard watching.
No hoping for tiebreakers to swing their way. Just win.
Fortunately for the Steelers, the schedule gives them a fighting chance. The toughest test left is a matchup with the Lions, but beyond that, it’s a slate they can work with. Meanwhile, Baltimore’s road is bumpier, with games still to come against the Packers, Patriots, and a Bengals squad that suddenly looks like it’s finding its rhythm.
And here’s the kicker: Pittsburgh still has two head-to-heads with the Ravens-Week 14 and Week 18. That’s the kind of opportunity teams dream of when chasing a division title. Win those, and the Steelers don’t just stay alive-they take control.
Week 13 was a missed opportunity, no doubt. The return of Aaron Rodgers didn’t tilt the field in their favor the way they hoped, and the team couldn’t capitalize.
But the season’s far from over. The North is still within reach.
Everything the Steelers want is still right there in front of them. Now it’s about stacking wins, one week at a time, and proving they belong in the postseason conversation.