With the Steelers clinching a playoff berth, next comes their quest to win the AFC North. And, it couldn't be more simple: Beat the Ravens on Saturday, and they clinch the division.
But, what if the Ravens win? How likely is it for the Steelers to clinch the AFC North? A Baltimore victory would negate the first tiebreaker, which is head-to-head matchups. The next three tiebreakers are division record, win percentage in common games, then conference record.
After Saturday, the Ravens play the Texans on the road on Christmas, then close out the season against the Browns at home. Same situation for the Steelers: Two conference games, one of which is a divisional matchup to close out the season. So, let's break this down, assuming the Ravens win on Saturday:
• Steelers go 1-1, Ravens lose out: Steelers win by overall record.
• Ravens go 1-1, Steelers lose out: Ravens win by overall record.
• Both teams win out: Steelers win. Both teams would have the same overall record (12-5) and division record (4-2). The next tiebreaker is win percentage in common games, which the Steelers would have the advantage because winning out would mean beating the Chiefs.
• Both teams lose out: Steelers win. Both teams would have the same overall record (10-7) and division record (3-3). This scenario would mean the Steelers lose to the Chiefs, thus giving both teams the same record in common games. The next tiebreaker is conference record, which the Steelers would have the advantage by one game.
• Ravens beat Texans, lose to Browns; Steelers lose to Chiefs, beat Bengals: Steelers win. Both teams would have the same overall record (11-6), but the Steelers would own the tiebreaker with a division record.
• Ravens lose to Texans, beat Browns; Steelers beat Chiefs, lose to Bengals: Ravens win. Both teams would have the same overall record (11-6), but the Ravens would own the tiebreaker with a division record.
• Ravens beat Texans, lose to Browns; Steelers beat Chiefs, lose to Bengals: Steelers win. Both teams would have the same overall record (11-6) and division record (3-3). The next tiebreaker is win percentage in common games, which the Steelers would have the advantage by beating the Chiefs.
• Ravens lose to Texans, beat Browns; Steelers lose to Chiefs, beat Bengals: Steelers win. Both teams would have the same overall record (11-6) and division record (4-2). This scenario would mean the Steelers lose to the Chiefs, thus giving both teams the same record in common games. The next tiebreaker is conference record, which the Steelers would have the advantage by one game.
One easy way to avoid all this: Win on Saturday. Make this writing a waste of time.
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THE ASYLUM
Chris Halicke
8:46 pm - 12.17.2024South SideAFC North scenarios favor Steelers
With the Steelers clinching a playoff berth, next comes their quest to win the AFC North. And, it couldn't be more simple: Beat the Ravens on Saturday, and they clinch the division.
But, what if the Ravens win? How likely is it for the Steelers to clinch the AFC North? A Baltimore victory would negate the first tiebreaker, which is head-to-head matchups. The next three tiebreakers are division record, win percentage in common games, then conference record.
After Saturday, the Ravens play the Texans on the road on Christmas, then close out the season against the Browns at home. Same situation for the Steelers: Two conference games, one of which is a divisional matchup to close out the season. So, let's break this down, assuming the Ravens win on Saturday:
• Steelers win out, Ravens don't: Steelers win by overall record.
• Ravens win out, Steelers don't: Ravens win by overall record.
• Steelers go 1-1, Ravens lose out: Steelers win by overall record.
• Ravens go 1-1, Steelers lose out: Ravens win by overall record.
• Both teams win out: Steelers win. Both teams would have the same overall record (12-5) and division record (4-2). The next tiebreaker is win percentage in common games, which the Steelers would have the advantage because winning out would mean beating the Chiefs.
• Both teams lose out: Steelers win. Both teams would have the same overall record (10-7) and division record (3-3). This scenario would mean the Steelers lose to the Chiefs, thus giving both teams the same record in common games. The next tiebreaker is conference record, which the Steelers would have the advantage by one game.
• Ravens beat Texans, lose to Browns; Steelers lose to Chiefs, beat Bengals: Steelers win. Both teams would have the same overall record (11-6), but the Steelers would own the tiebreaker with a division record.
• Ravens lose to Texans, beat Browns; Steelers beat Chiefs, lose to Bengals: Ravens win. Both teams would have the same overall record (11-6), but the Ravens would own the tiebreaker with a division record.
• Ravens beat Texans, lose to Browns; Steelers beat Chiefs, lose to Bengals: Steelers win. Both teams would have the same overall record (11-6) and division record (3-3). The next tiebreaker is win percentage in common games, which the Steelers would have the advantage by beating the Chiefs.
• Ravens lose to Texans, beat Browns; Steelers lose to Chiefs, beat Bengals: Steelers win. Both teams would have the same overall record (11-6) and division record (4-2). This scenario would mean the Steelers lose to the Chiefs, thus giving both teams the same record in common games. The next tiebreaker is conference record, which the Steelers would have the advantage by one game.
One easy way to avoid all this: Win on Saturday. Make this writing a waste of time.
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
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