AFC Playoff Picture: Steelers squander golden opportunity

Heading into a game against a 2-10 Cardinals team, all the Pittsburgh Steelers had to do was take care of business and watch those in front of them fall like dominoes. 

Instead, Pittsburgh lost in one of the more embarrassing games of Coach Tomlin's tenure, yet were able to hold onto the 5th seed in the AFC. 

But when you consider that teams like the Chiefs, Browns and Jaguars all lost with the Ravens on bye, you can see how the Steelers are kicking themselves after Sunday:

AFC playoff picture if the season ended today:

1. Miami Dolphins (9-3) - 1st AFC East
2. Baltimore Ravens (9-3) - 1st AFC North
3. Kansas City Chiefs (8-4) - 1st AFC West
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4) - 1st AFC South
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5) - Wild Card
6. Cleveland Browns (7-5) - Wild Card
7. Indianapolis Colts (7-5) - Wild Card

In the hunt:

• Houston Texans (7-5)
• Denver Broncos (6-6)
• Buffalo Bills (6-6)
• Cincinnati Bengals (6-6)
• Los Angeles Chargers (5-7)
• Las Vegas Raiders (5-7)
• New York Jets (4-8)
• Tennessee Titans (4-8)
• New England Patriots (2-10)

With the Jaguars losing as well as the Chiefs, the Steelers could have had the same record as those two, not to mention have been only a game back on a Ravens squad they hold the tiebreaker over, setting them up for the third seed if not higher. 

Will the Steelers make the playoffs?

The Steelers saw a drop in their playoff odds when analyzing the NYT playoff simulator. The team had a 78% chance of making the postseason last week but are now down to 54% following Sunday's loss. 

Can Pittsburgh win the AFC North?

Even if Pittsburgh won on Sunday, it was going to be an uphill climb to win the division, with the team behind a Ravens squad that looks formidable. 

The odds of the team winning the North are nearing impossible at this point however, with the NYT simulator giving Pittsburgh a 7% chance of being crowned kings in the north. 

Steelers remaining schedule: