The Pittsburgh Steelers suffered a demoralizing 34-17 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16, as Mike Tomlin's squad didn't do enough on both sides to secure a pivotal road victory against a formidable divisional opponent.
With their defeat on Saturday, the Steelers dropped to 10-5 and have now lost two consecutive games. Pittsburgh will head back home to square off against the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day in Week 17 and will look to end this disappointing two-game skid.
The AFC North has consistently been one of the most competitive divisions in football, and the division is now up for grabs after Pittsburgh's loss. The Steelers could've clinched their first division title since 2020 with a victory over the Ravens, but the race for the division will be eventful in the final two weeks.
Baltimore improved their record to 10-5 after defeating Pittsburgh on Saturday, and with both teams owning the same record and winning one game each in the season series, the Ravens and Steelers are tied for the first-place lead in the AFC North. Both teams also have the same division records (3-2). Pittsburgh defeated Baltimore by a score of 18-16 back in Week 11 at Acruisure Field.
AFC North standings:
T-1. Baltimore Ravens (10-5)
T-1. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5)
3. Cincinnati Bengals (6-8)
4. Cleveland Browns (3-11)
It all comes down to the final two weeks to decide the winner of the AFC North. As stated above, the Steelers will play the Chiefs in Week 17 and will be looking to get back in the win column after a rough last two weeks. Tomlin's group will finish the regular season at home versus the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Ravens will also play on Christmas Day in Week 17, as John Harbaugh's squad will travel to NRG Stadium to square off against the Houston Texans. Baltimore will conclude the regular season at home versus the Cleveland Browns.
If both teams win their final two contests, the Steelers and Ravens will finish with the same regular season record and division record. In this scenario, Pittsburgh would take home the AFC North crown because they would boast the better record versus all AFC opponents unless Baltimore has the better record in common games.
Obviously, if one team wins out or the other loses out, then the team that wins out would snatch the division title.
There are a lot more scenarios that could play out between the Steelers and Ravens, and we can't list them all, so let's take a look at the tiebreaking scenarios.
Tiebreaking Scenarios:
1. Head-to-head (best won-lost-tied percentage in games between the clubs).
2. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the division.
3. Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games.
4. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.
5. Strength of victory in all games.
6. Strength of schedule in all games
7. Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed in all games.
8. Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed in all games.
9. Best net points in common games.
10. Best net points in all games.
11. Best net touchdowns in all games.
12. Coin toss
So, long story short: The final two games of the season will decide who wins the AFC North, and the Steelers must finish the regular season strong.
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