Each game that the Steelers take the field, it’s about their taking care of business with a win. That doesn’t always occur, but with the goal always being the playoffs… the other games become about seeding and matchups. With the Steelers needing to control their own fate against the Browns, other contests still matter to the Black and Gold Nation, and we assume the Steelers will keep winning more for the sake of this exercise. Here’s a guide to other significant matchups, and whose losses the Steelers would benefit from more regardless of rivalry.

If the season ended today, the Steelers would be the third seed in the AFC. The Men of Steel will not be able to clinch a playoff spot this week with a win. They need a win and a Colts loss to gain entry in the AFC, however Indy has a bye.

Here are the current AFC Playoff Picture going into Week 14:

• No. 1 Kansas City Chiefs — Bye
• No. 7 Denver Broncos at No. 2 Buffalo Bills
• No. 6 Baltimore Ravens at No. 3 Pittsburgh Steelers
• No. 5 Los Angeles Chargers at No. 4 Houston Texans

AFC Standings

No. 1 (LW: 1) Kansas City Chiefs 11-1, 6-1 in AFC (Clinched Playoff Spot)

Last Week: Win vs. LV (19-17)

Games Remaining: LAC, at CLE, HOU, at PIT, at DEN

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 31

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No. 2 (No Change) Buffalo Bills 10-2, 7-2 in AFC (Clinched Playoff Spot)

Last Week: Win vs. SF (35-10)

Games Remaining – at LAR, at DET, NE, NYJ, at NE

Current Overall Draft Position: 30

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No. 3 Pittsburgh Steelers (No Change) 9-3, 6-2 in AFC (Playoff Probability – 99%)

Last Week: Win at CIN (44-38)

Games Remaining – CLE, at PHI, at BAL, KC, CIN

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 26

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No. 4 Houston Texans (No Change) 8-5, 6-2 in AFC (Playoff Prob. – 93%)

Last Week: Win at JAX (23-20)

Games Remaining – BYE, MIA, at KC, BAL, at TEN

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 22

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No. 5 Los Angeles Chargers (UP 1) 8-4, 5-3 in AFC (Playoff Prob. – 89%)

Last Week: Win at ATL (17-13)

Games Remaining – at KC, TB, DEN, at NE, at LV

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 25

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No. 6 Baltimore Ravens 8-4, 5-4 in AFC (Playoff Prob. – 99%)

Last Week: Loss vs. PHI (24-19)

Games Remaining – BYE, at NYG, PIT, at HOU, CLE

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 24

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No. 7 Denver Broncos 8-5, 4-4 in AFC (Playoff Prob. – 67%)

Last Week: Win vs. CLE (41-32)

Games Remaining – BYE, IND, at LAC, at CIN, at KC

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 23

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No. 8 Indianapolis Colts 6-7, 5-4 in AFC (Playoff Prob. – 26%)

Last Week: W at NE (25-24)

Games Remaining – BYE, at DEN, TEN, at NYG, JAX

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 15

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No. 9 Miami Dolphins 5-8, 4-4 in AFC (Playoff Prob. – 12%)

Games Remaining – BYE, at HOU, SF, at CLE, at NYJ

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 12

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No. 10 Cincinnati Bengals 4-8, 2-5 in AFC (Playoff Prob. -17%)

LW: L vs. PIT

Games Remaining – at DAL, at TEN, CLE, DEN, at PIT

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 9

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No. 11 Cleveland Browns 3-9, 3-4 in AFC (Playoff Prob.- <1%)

Games Remaining – at PIT, KC, at CIN, MIA, at BAL

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 8

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No. 13 Tennessee Titans 3-9, 3-4 in AFC (Playoff Prob. – <1%)

Games Remaining – JAX, CIN, at IND, at JAX, HOU

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 7

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No. 12 New York Jets 3-9, 3-5 in AFC (Playoff Prob. – <1%)

Games Remaining – at MIA, at JAX, LAR, at BUF, MIA

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 6

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No. 14 New England Patriots 3-10, 2-6 in AFC (Eliminated)

Last Week; Loss vs. IND (25-24)

Games Remaining – BYE, at AZ, at BUF, LAC, BUF

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 4

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No. 15 Jacksonville Jaguars 2-10, 2-5 in AFC (Eliminated)

Last Week: Loss (19-17)

Games Remaining – at TEN, NYJ, at LV, TEN, at IND

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 3

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No. 16 Las Vegas Raiders 2-10, 2-8 in AFC (Eliminated)

Last Week: Loss at KC (19-17)

Games Remaining – at TB, ATL, JAX, at NO, LAC

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 2

Okay, now it’s time to see who you, the Steelers fan, should be rooting for this week:

New York Jets at Miami Dolphins (Sun 1:00 PM EST)

This game doesn’t matter to the Steelers however a loss gets Miami closer to playoff elimination. That’s got to count for something.

The Pick: New York Jets

Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans (Sun 1:00 PM EST)

This game does not affect the Steelers whatsoever. However, I’m tired of Jacksonville getting the No. 1 Pick, I feel kind of bad for Trevor Lawrence, and I’m keen with the idea of Tennessee’s elimination as well.

The Pick: Jacksonville Jaguars

Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs (Sun 1:00 PM EST)

The Chargers can put the Chiefs in striking range for the Steelers. Of course, like stated earlier, the Steelers have to keep winning. But a Chiefs loss makes home-field advantage a possibility.

The Pick: Los Angeles Chargers

Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Rams (Sun 4:25 PM EST)

A definite no-brainer here. Even though a loss to the NFC opponent, doesn’t necessarily drop Buffalo down behind the Steelers, it’s all about slowing Sean McDermott’s team down just a little. It also puts the Steelers in good position should they beat Kansas City on Christmas Day.

The Pick: Los Angeles Rams

Cincinnati Bengals at Dallas Cowboys (MNF 8:15 PM EST)

Third week in a row, an AFC North foe plays on MNF. Sure, it’s hard to cheer for Dallas if you’re a Steelers fan, however a loss puts a stake in the playoff heart of the Bungles. After watching Hard Knocks, I even have less respect for this franchise than I ever had before. I didn’t know that was possible.

The Pick: Dallas Cowboys