NFL stats: How much Steelers playoff chances would improve with a win on Sunday
The Pittsburgh Steelers are not officially eliminated from NFL playoff contention. How would a win on Sunday change their overall chances?
It’s going to take a miracle, maybe two, but the Pittsburgh Steelers can technically still make the NFL Playoffs. Had you told fans that at this point in the season this would even be a conversation earlier in the year, they’d have been ecstatic.
Pittsburgh has been on quite the ride. Remember when Mitchell Trubisky was their starting QB? That was just 10 weeks or so ago, not a few years back.
Now, Kenny Pickett is finding his stride and has actually gone a long while without throwing an interception after opening his career with several.
The Steelers are 3-1 in their last four games and hold a 5-7 record. They’re bottom of their division, but a mere three games behind the Baltimore Ravens. If the season were to end today the 5-loss Jets would get the final playoff spot.
The Steelers, somehow, are still in the hunt. For a team in their position, winning out is the safest way to give themselves the best chances at making the postseason.
Here’s how a win this week would improve their chances.
How Steelers playoff chances improve in Week 14
Going into their Week 14 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, the Steelers have a 7% chance of making the playoffs according to FiveThirtyEight. A win improves them to 11%.
On the flip side, a loss hurts the Steelers tremendously, lowering their playoff chances to 0.7%. A tie, meanwhile, while unlikely, would lower them to just 6%.
Baltimore is, surprisingly, just a two-point favorite, but when you consider that Lamar Jackson is still out, it makes sense and is cause for optimism for the Steelers.
It’s a long shot and an uphill battle, but Mike Tomlin is definitely not going to give up on the season until it’s over. And with momentum on their side, the Steelers could very well make some noise and keep themselves in it until the very end.
Should be fun.
