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The Pittsburgh Steelers entered this weekend a win or a Baltimore Ravens loss away from clinching the AFC North, but neither happened.
After the Ravens blew out the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night, the Steelers needed to beat the lowly Cleveland Browns to make next week not matter. Instead, the Browns pulled off the upset, pushing the Steelers to the brink of both elimination and clinching.
Pittsburgh has always had Week 18 as a backup in case they couldn't secure the AFC North title before, but now that becomes a reality. Here's a look at where the Steelers are in the current playoff standings.
MORE: Updated AFC/NFC playoff pictures
Steelers playoff picture
The Steelers are only eligible to make the playoffs as the No. 4 seed, as they would automatically be the worst division winner in the AFC. Pittsburgh can't clinch a wild-card spot, nor can they jump the No. 3 seeded Jacksonville Jaguars this late in the year.
Therefore, if the Steelers do make the playoffs, they would host the best wild-card team in the AFC. With only one division secured thus far, though, the seedings could change.
| Rank | Team | Record |
| 1. | Denver Broncos | 13-3 |
| 2. | New England Patriots | 13-3 |
| 3. | Jacksonville Jaguars | 11-4 |
| 4. | Pittsburgh Steelers | 9-7 |
| 5. | Buffalo Bills | 11-4 |
| 6. | Houston Texans | 11-5 |
| 7. | Los Angeles Chargers | 11-5 |
| 8. | Indianapolis Colts | 8-7 |
| 9. | Baltimore Ravens | 8-8 |
| 10. | Miami Dolphins | 7-9 |
| 11. | Kansas City Chiefs | 6-10 |
| 12. | Cincinnati Bengals | 6-10 |
| 13. | Cleveland Browns | 4-12 |
| 14. | Tennessee Titans | 3-13 |
| 15. | New York Jets | 3-13 |
| 16. | Las Vegas Raiders | 2-13 |
AFC wild-card standings
The wild-card teams are pretty much set. The Los Angeles Chargers will be one wild-card team, while the other will come down to the AFC South and AFC East races.
However, neither the Steelers nor Ravens can earn a wild-card spot, making the race for the division that much more crucial. If the season ended Sunday, the Steelers would host the Buffalo Bills in the wild-card round of the playoffs.
Division leaders
- AFC West: Denver Broncos (13-3)
- AFC East: New England Patriots (13-3)
- AFC South: Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4)
- AFC North: Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)
Wild card teams
- Buffalo Bills (11-4)
- Houston Texans (11-5)
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-5)
AFC North standings
The Steelers still control the division, but they didn't clinch the title with the loss to the Browns on Sunday. Pittsburgh remains just a game ahead of the Ravens, while Baltimore would own a tiebreaker if they both end the season with the same record.
| Rank | Team | Record |
| 1. | Pittsburgh Steelers | 9-7 |
| 2. | Baltimore Ravens | 8-8 |
| 3. | Cincinnati Bengals | 6-10 |
| 4. | Cleveland Browns | 4-12 |
Steelers remaining schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| TBD | vs. Ravens | TBD | TBD |
The Steelers have one more game to play this year, and it will decide the AFC North winner. Pittsburgh is set to host the Ravens in Week 18 in what should be one of the most pivotal games of the regular season.
MORE: Why Browns fans went crazy after thinking Myles Garrett broke sack record
A few weeks ago, the Steelers beat the Ravens to take control of the division, but they will need to win once more to secure it.
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