The Pittsburgh Steelers have dropped four of their last six games, significantly lowering their playoff chances. Earlier in the season, they held a comfortable 2.5-game lead in the AFC North. But after their recent struggles, that seemingly very comfortable cushion has completely vanished. After Pittsburghâs loss to the Chicago Bears and the Baltimore Ravensâ win over the New York Jets this past Sunday, Baltimore has pulled even with Pittsburgh. Both teams now sit at 6â5 heading into Week 13 of the regular season. Â
âBefore losing to Cincinnati in Week 7, the Steelers‘ odds to make the playoffs reached 84.7%. After Sunday’s loss at Chicago, their odds are hovering at 50%, per ESPN’s Football Power Index,â wrote ESPNâs Brooke Pryor. Â
The Ravens, who started the season 1â5, have suddenly put themselves into prime position in the AFC North standings, winning their last five games. Baltimore’s climb up the standings should be a real concern for the Steelers as they head into the final stretch of the season. The Ravens are arguably one of the hottest teams in the league, making it vital for the Steelers to catch fire again before it’s too late.
In her report, Pryor highlighted defensive lineman Cam Heywardâs urgency, quoting the Steelers captain saying, âThe hourglass is going and the sandâs falling through. Thereâs not a lot of time for mistakes.â
Notably, the Steelers and Ravens have yet to play each other this season, setting the stage for two head-to-head matchups between the division rivals in the final leg of the season, with both games potentially being major deciders in who prevails in the AFC North.
GettyThe Ravens have tied the Steelers at 6-5.
More Players Speak Out
After Sunday’s loss, Mark Kaboly, Steelers Correspondent for The Pat McAfee Show, wrote that linebacker Nick Herbig said, âWe have all the talent, we have good coaches, we have good players. We just have to win games. That is what the NFL is all about. Regardless of what happens during the week and who is playing or not, at the end of the day, we have to win.â
There is no question that the Steelersâ locker room understands the urgency of racking up winsâand doing so sooner rather than later.
Kaboly wrote that defensive-end T.J. Watt said, âWe need to be playing our best football at this stretch of the season, and we need to get betterâand get better quickly.â
GettySteelers star defensive-end T.J. Watt.
The Path to the Playoffs
The remainder of the Steelersâ schedule will be challenging, with notable matchups against the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, and, of course, the Ravens, who they will face twice.
There is no question the Steelers have been on a cold streak recently, but if they can return to their early-season form, their playoff odds, currently hovering around 50 percent, could climb back in their favor.
Pittsburgh is aiming to hold onto its current streak and secure a playoff spot for the third consecutive season.
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