Projection Model Sounds Alarm On Steelers’ Playoff Outlook After Week 12 Loss

The NFL season’s final six weeks could get uncomfortable as the Pittsburgh Steelers battle for a playoff spot.

Pittsburgh no longer shares sole possession of first place atop the AFC North after Sunday’s 31-28 loss to the Chicago Bears. While the Steelers fell to 6-5 after dropping their fourth loss in six games, the Baltimore Ravens improved to 6-5 with their fifth straight win.

One projection model firmly backs Baltimore to salvage its third straight division title. The Athletic’s Playoff Simulator gives the Steelers a 16 percent chance to win the AFC North behind the Ravens’ 81 percent. The Cincinnati Bengals maintain a 3 percent shot despite falling to 3-8 with a Week 12 loss to the New England Patriots.

Furthermore, The Athletic doesn’t offer much hope of the Steelers salvaging a wild-card bid. They have just a 20 percent probability of making the playoffs.

The Los Angeles Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills currently possess the AFC’s wild-card spots at 7-4, and the 6-5 Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans provide additional competition. The Steelers have a difficult remaining schedule, but one that still allows them to control their playoff path.

Pittsburgh hosts Buffalo this Sunday before playing the first of two monumental games against Baltimore. ESPN’s Matchup Predictor gives the Ravens a 67.5 percent chance of winning the Week 14 rivalry matchup at home.

The Steelers were in the driver’s seat weeks ago, but losses against those potent AFC contenders would make it awfully difficult to return to the playoffs.

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