I’m thankful that the Steelers have a more straightforward path to the playoffs in 2024.
I was planning to write one of those typical Thanksgiving-themed articles about what I’m thankful for this year. But with so many others covering that ground, I decided to mix things up and share something I’m truly grateful for in 2024: the Pittsburgh Steelers’ playoff chances with six games still to go in the regular season.
As of now, Pittsburgh has a 91% chance of making the postseason. I’m sure you’re thinking, “Well, of course!” You might be assuming a playoff berth is a given, and you’re probably more focused on the Steelers’ chances of claiming the AFC North. Those chances took a hit in Week 12 after the disappointing loss to the Browns on Thursday Night Football and the Ravens’ win over the Chargers. I get it; Pittsburgh is 8-3 heading into Week 13, and Baltimore is right behind at 8-4. What could have been a two-game lead is now just a half-game. But I still want that division title. Hosting a home game on Wild Card Weekend would be a nice change from barely squeezing into the playoffs and getting blown out by Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen. A division title is even more valuable now with the expanded playoffs. If a lower seed beats a higher seed on Wild Card Weekend, the higher-seeded team loses their chance to host a divisional playoff game. For instance, the 2023 Detroit Lions, NFC North champions and the third seed, got to host two postseason games before their NFC title game run.
But beyond the division race, isn’t it nice not to be stressing about the Steelers’ playoff chances? Heading into Week 13, Pittsburgh has a comfortable three-and-a-half-game lead over the eighth and ninth seeds, the 5-7 Colts and Dolphins, both of whom are well behind. A win in Cincinnati, combined with an Indy loss to the Patriots, would virtually lock up the Steelers’ postseason spot. With a four-game cushion and five games remaining, it’s hard to imagine the Steelers blowing this advantage—even with tough matchups ahead against the Eagles, Ravens, and Chiefs.
I can already hear you, “So now we’re celebrating huge wildcard leads? Has this fanbase gotten soft?” Well, maybe not celebrating, but I’m certainly grateful for it. I’ll never forget the trauma of Ryan Succop’s missed field goal in 2013. And speaking of that year, I’ve still got frostbite on my right big toe from attending a Steelers/Bengals game in December. Pittsburgh was 5-8, and no one thought the playoffs were a possibility. That night, the Steelers kept winning, and everything fell into place—until Succop ruined it all.
It’s also hard to forget the last time the Steelers actually won a playoff game, back in the 2016/2017 postseason. Sure, they clinched the AFC North and were the third seed, but remember that they probably wouldn’t have made it at all if not for Antonio Brown’s iconic Immaculate Extension against the Ravens on Christmas Day. (Such a shame the Steelers couldn’t win big games with AB’s toxic antics.)
Over the past decade, the Steelers needed help from some strange sources to make the playoffs: Ryan Succop in 2013 (fail); Rex Ryan in 2015 (success); the Browns in 2018 (fail); Duck Hodges in 2019 (fail); the Jaguars in 2021 (success); Joe Flacco in 2022 (fail); and the Titans in 2023 (success).
It’s a relief to think that this year, I probably won’t have to rely on such strange scenarios. Let the Dolphins, Bengals, and Colts fans keep posting those “So you’re telling me there’s a chance” memes while they cling to their slim playoff hopes.
If the Steelers need help heading into Week 18, I just hope it’s only for division title implications and playoff positioning.
Honestly, the thought of cheering for Joe Flacco again is enough to make my big toe go numb.
Source: https://www.fansfirstsports.com/cowboys-global-cast/im-grateful-the-steelers-have-a-clearer-path-to-the-playoffs-in-2024/