The Steelers took care of business against the Browns like they are supposed to. In fact, it’s all about taking care of business with a win. That doesn’t always occur, but with the goal always being the playoffs…other games become about seeding and matchups. With the Steelers needing to control their own fate against the Eagles, other contests still matter, and we assume the Steelers will keep winning more for the sake of this exercise despite not having won in Philadelphia since 1965. Here’s a guide to other significant matchups, and whose losses the Steelers would benefit from more regardless of rivalry.

Despite Buffalo’s loss to the Rams and having identical records, the Steelers would still be the third seed in the AFC due to the Bills having a better strength of victory percentage. However, they will secure a playoff spot with either a win this week or losses by Indy and Miami.

Here is the current AFC Playoff picture going into Week 15.

No. 1 Kansas City Chiefs – Bye

No. 7 Denver Broncos at No. 2 Buffalo Bills

No. 6 Los Angeles Chargers at No. 3 Pittsburgh Steelers

No. 5 Baltimore Ravens at No. 4 Houston Texans

AFC Standings

No. 1 (LW: 1) Kansas City Chiefs 12-1, 7-1 in AFC (Clinched Playoff Spot)

Last Week: Win vs. LAC (19-17) Won 3

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

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 31

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No. 2 (LW: 2) Buffalo Bills 10-3, 7-2 in AFC (Clinched Playoff Spot)

Last Week: Loss at LAR (44-42) Lost 1

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

Current Overall Draft Position: 29

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No. 3 Pittsburgh Steelers (LW: 3) 10-3, 7-2 in AFC (Playoff Prob. – >99%)

Last Week: Win vs. CLE (27-14) Won 2

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

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 27

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No. 4 Houston Texans (LW: 4) 8-5, 6-2 in AFC (Playoff Prob. – 97%)

Last Week: BYE – Won 1

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

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 25

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No. 5 Baltimore Ravens (LW: 6) 8-4, 5-4 in AFC (Playoff Prob. – 97%)

Last Week: BYE – Lost 1

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

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 24

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No. 6 Los Angeles Chargers (LW: 5) 8-5, 5-4 in AFC (Playoff Prob. – 89%)

Last Week: Loss at KC (19-17) Lost 1

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

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 21

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No. 7 Denver Broncos (LW: 7) 8-5, 4-4 in AFC (Playoff Prob. – 74%)

Last Week: BYE – Won 3

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

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 22

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No. 8 Indianapolis Colts (LW: 8) 6-7, 5-4 in AFC (Playoff Prob. – 27%)

Last Week: BYE – Won 1

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

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 14

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No. 9 Miami Dolphins (LW: 9) 6-7, 5-4 in AFC (Playoff Prob. – 13%)

Last Week: Win vs. NYJ (32-26) Won 1

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

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 13

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No. 10 Cincinnati Bengals (LW: 10) 5-8, 2-6 in AFC (Playoff Prob. -3%)

LW: Win at DAL (27-20) Won 1

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

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 11

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No. 11 Cleveland Browns (LW: 11) 3-10, 3-5 in AFC (Eliminated)

LW: Loss at PIT (27-14) Lost 2

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

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 8

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No. 12 Jacksonville Jaguars (LW: 15) 3-10, 3-5 in AFC (Eliminated)

Last Week: Win at TEN (10-6) Won 1

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

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 5

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No. 13 New York Jets (LW: 12) 3-10, 3-6 in AFC (Eliminated)

Last Week: Loss at MIA (32-26)

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

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 7

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No. 14 Tennessee Titans (LW: 13) 3-10, 3-5 in AFC (Eliminated)

Last Week: Loss vs. JAX (10-6) Lost 2

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

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 6

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No. 15 New England Patriots (LW: 14) 3-10, 2-7 in AFC (Eliminated)

Last Week: BYE – Lost 3

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

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 3

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

Last Week: Loss at TB (28-13) Lost 9

Games Remaining – ATL, JAX, at NO, LAC

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 1

This Week’s Significant Games for Steeler Nation…

Kansas City Chiefs at Cleveland Browns (Sun 1:00 PM EST)

The last thing that the Browns want to do is help the Steelers. In that same manner, Pittsburgh fans are never enthusiastic about backing Cleveland. Some fans will be stubborn and refuse to cheer for the Orange and Brown, but I will put that creepy elf on my rooting shelf if it helps the Steelers get closer to catching the Chiefs.

The Pick: Cleveland Browns

Cincinnati Bengals at Tennessee Titans (Sun 1:00 PM EST)

It’s impossible for Cincy to catch the Steelers, but there’s that tiny shred of Black and Orange hope for the Bengals to make the playoffs. A loss pretty much puts these tigers on the extinction list. I like the idea of that. I like it a lot.

The Pick: Tennessee Titans

Baltimore Ravens at New York Giants (Sun 1:00 PM EST)

I know, I know! Nobody needs to tell you to root against the Ravens. But a loss here would help cushion the blow if the Steelers lose to Philly. It’s unlikely, but the sun shines on a dog’s a$$ every once in a while.

The Pick: New York Giants

Miami Dolphins at Houston Texans (Sun 1:00 PM EST)

This game doesn’t matter to the Steelers whatsoever. But the Men of Steel have a 2-game lead over AFC South Leaders Houston and wouldn’t want to drop down. However, a loss gets Miami closer to playoff elimination. That’s got to count for something. This is a pick-em. But since Miami will eliminate themselves soon enough, let’s give them one more week of false hope and take the cushion.

The Pick: Miami Dolphins

Buffalo Bills at Detroit Lions (Sun 4:25 PM EST)

If you thought last week’s Bills loss was a big deal, this would help the Steelers greatly should the Black and Gold win in Philadelphia. Plus, Sean McDermott’s team needs to rebound and this would be a statement win over juggernaut Detroit. We can’t have that.

The Pick: Detroit Lions

Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos (Sun 4:25 PM EST)

This is a big game for both horse teams. Denver is rolling and I would love to see a halt in their momentum, but it’s time to end it for Indy.

The Pick: Denver Broncos

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Los Angeles Chargers (Sun 4:25 PM EST)

The other Harbs has dropped the ball the last couple of weeks and hasn’t helped the cause of the Steelers. Plus, this is an out-of-conference game, and I’d rather face them in Pittsburgh than B-More. And again, it’s a Harbaugh.

The Pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Other AFC Opponents in Action:

• New York Jets at Jacksonville Jaguars (Sun 1:00 PM EST)
• New England Patriots at Arizona Cardinals (Sun 4:25 PM EST)
• Atlanta Falcons at Las Vegas Raiders (MNF 8:30 PM EST)