AFC Playoff Picture: Pittsburgh Steelers hurdle into AFC North lead

After their Week 14 win over the Baltimore Ravens, the Pittsburgh Steelers are back in first place in the AFC North. It’s been a chaotic few weeks, for the playoff picture, with three losses in the last four games, but the Ravens’ 5-1 pace has been halted for now.

Pittsburgh and Baltimore play again in Week 18 in what could end up being an elimination game. Like the Steelers a week ago, the Ravens’ loss drops them completely out of the playoff picture.

The Buffalo Bills beat the Bengals (thanks, Bills!) and the Indianapolis Colts lost to shift around the wild card teams. The Los Angeles Chargers won on Monday night to move to fifth and they would be the Steelers opponent as of right now. The Bills are sixth and the Houston Texans seventh after their win Sunday night.

The Colts lost more than the game as it was announced that QB Daniel Jones ruptured his Achilles. He will be done for the season.

The Denver Broncos won to move into first place past the idle New England Patriots on a tiebreaker. The Jacksonville Jaguars won to stay in third place in the AFC.

There is a three-way tie at 6-7 that includes two preseason favorites.

AFC standings after Week 14

1. Denver Broncos (11-2, 7-2 AFC)
2. New England Patriots (11-2, 6-2 AFC)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4)
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6)
5. Los Angeles Chargers (9-4, 7-2 AFC)
6. Buffalo Bills (9-4, 6-3 AFC)
7. Houston Texans (8-5, win over IND)
8. Indianapolis Colts (8-5, loss to HOU)
9. Baltimore Ravens (6-7, 4-5 AFC)
10. Kansas City Chiefs (6-7, 3-5 AFC)
11. Miami Dolphins (6-7, 3-6 AFC)
12. Cincinnati Bengals (4-9)
13. e-New York Jets (3-10)
14. e-Cleveland Browns (3-10)
15. e-Las Vegas Raiders (2-11)
16. e-Tennessee Titans (2-11)

The Tennessee Titans were eliminated from playoff contention as were the Las Vegas Raiders. The New York Jets and Cleveland Browns joined them in Week 14.

AFC North standings after Week 14

The Steelers are back on top with their Week 14 win over the Baltimore Ravens. The Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals both lost, too.

Cincy’s playoff hopes are hanging by a thread. They need a crazy run to win the division.

I think the Browns were officially eliminated with their tenth loss and four division losses.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6)
2. Baltimore Ravens (6-7)
3. Cincinnati Bengals (4-9)
4. Cleveland Browns (3-10)

USA News Hub