Steelers' five playoff-clinching scenarios: Lose and still get in?

The Steelers (9-7) have five different ways they could make it into the playoffs, including one they can lose to the Ravens (13-3) in Week 18 and still get in.

1. Steelers win + Buffalo loss

This feels like the most likely scenario to play out. 

Pittsburgh is sticking with the hot hand of QB Mason Rudolph as he has thrown for 564 yards and two touchdowns in the past two weeks. He seems to be the team's best option at quarterback as he has the offense averaging 32 points per game as the starter.

Baltimore, on the other hand, has the AFC's No. 1 seed locked up and could sit its starters on Saturday. Head coach John Harbaugh has yet to confirm the Ravens' plans, but it would be surprising if he chose to do otherwise given the team's injury history.

The Bills (10-6) must then lose to the Dolphins (11-5) on Sunday. Buffalo already defeated Miami 48-20 in Week 4 but this time it must go on the road in a battle for the AFC East.

2. Steelers win + Jacksonville loss/tie

This is the next most likely scenario in which a Steelers win is necessary.

The Jaguars (9-7) go on the road to face the Titans (5-11) and must do anything but win for Pittsburgh to get in. The status of QB Trevor Lawrence, who suffered a shoulder injury last week, is still up in the air as he will practice Wednesday on a limited basis, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Tennessee may not have anything left to play for, but head coach Mike Vrabel seems to have his team ready to upset Jacksonville on Sunday after giving a fiery response on Tuesday.

"It sucks to lose," Vrabel said. "Losing. Awful. That's why I want to win because you don't sleep. You want to win for the players that bust their tail. That's it."

3. Steelers win + Indianapolis-Houston ends in tie

The last scenario that requires a Steelers win also includes the Colts (9-7) and Texans (9-7) tying.

The NFL has yet to have a game end in a tie this season and this matchup feels unlikely to end that way as well. Both teams are fighting for their playoff lives and a tie doesn't really help either. Indianapolis defeated Houston 31-20 in Week 2.

4. Steelers tie + Indianapolis and Houston do not tie + Jacksonville loss

The Steelers-Ravens game could end in a tie and Pittsburgh could get in as well.

The Colts and Texans cannot tie, and the Jaguars must lose to the Titans. Possible, but again, pretty unlikely.

5. Steelers loss + Indianapolis and Houston do not tie + Jacksonville loss + Denver win

There is one scenario, however, where the Steelers can lose to the Ravens and still make the postseason. It's not too far-fetched either.

The Colts or Texans must win, the Jaguars must lose to the Titans and the Broncos (8-8) would need to defeat the Raiders (7-9).

Denver lost to Las Vegas 17-16 in Week 1, but a lot has changed since then. The Broncos' 3-4 away record doesn't scream confidence but never say never in a divisional game during the final week of the regular season.