Steelers Control AFC North Title After Ravens Win

The Pittsburgh Steelers hoped that the Baltimore Ravens would do the team a favor for the first time ever. The Ravens were supposed to lose their matchup against the Green Bay Packers, ending their playoff hopes and handing the AFC North division title to Pittsburgh.

But the Ravens couldn't even do the Steelers one favor. They defeated the Packers 41-24 during their Week 17 contest. With the win, Baltimore moves to 8-8, and their playoff hopes are still alive.

Thankfully for the Steelers, they still control their own destiny and have a clear path to their first division title since the 2020 campaign.

Win and You're In

Even with the Ravens' victory, the Steelers are a single victory away from clinching the division. They get two chances to secure that win and their place in the playoffs over the final two weeks of the regular season.

The first comes against the Cleveland Browns in their own Week 17 matchup. The Steelers previously took down their AFC North foes in a Week 6 contest, defeating the Browns 23-9.

Their Week 17 matchup should be much different, however. The Steelers faced rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel in Week 6, but they will take on a different first-year QB in this contest. Shadeur Sanders is set to start another contest for the Browns, and it will be his first time going up against a dangerous Pittsburgh pass rush.

If the Steelers can repeat what they did in Week 6 against the Browns, the Ravens' victory is futile. The Steelers would claim the AFC North with their 10th victory of the season, rendering their Week 18 contest meaningless.