The Steelers' path to the postseason remains intact. But it's also now on life support and doesn't include a division championship.
With the Bengals win Sunday over the Chiefs, 34-31, Cincinnati (10-6) secured the AFC North title with one week remaining in the season.
But, the Steelers are still alive -- barely -- in the AFC Wildcard race given losses Sunday by the Colts, Ravens and Dolphins.
The Steelers (7-7-1) finish off their season Monday night in what will be Ben Roethlisberger's final home game, before playing next weekend in Baltimore against the Ravens (8-8), who lost their fifth-consecutive game Sunday, 20-19, to the Rams.
With the Raiders' win over the Colts Sunday, both of those teams now sit at 9-7 heading into Week 18. The Chargers also defeated the Broncos Sunday night to get to 9-7. The Dolphins' loss Titans Sunday leaves Miami at 8-8 along with the Ravens.
New England (10-6) and Buffalo (10-6) have secured playoff spots, as well. Tennessee (11-5) moved into the top seed in the AFC with its win over the Dolphins.
However, a loss or tie by the Steelers in either of their remaining two games would leave them on the outside looking in.
A win by the Steelers on Monday night also would eliminate the Browns (7-8), who need to win their final two games and have a number of other teams lose.
For the Steelers, the path to the postseason is now simple -- though somewhat unlikely. They need to win their final two games and have the Colts lose next week in Jacksonville.
A tie by the Raiders and Chargers, who meet in Los Angeles, next week would do the Steelers no good in a tiebreaker since both defeated the Steelers head-to-head.