The Steelers couldn’t take care of business against the Eagles like they needed to. However, the Colts and Dolphins losses helped the Men of Steel clinch a berth in the playoffs. Now it’s all about winning the AFC North and seeding. Here’s a guide to other significant matchups, and whose losses the Steelers would benefit from more.

The loss in Philly and the Bills win over Detroit relegated the Steelers to stay in position for the third seed in the AFC. 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 13-1, 8-1 in AFC (Clinched AFC West)

Last Week: Win at CLE (21-7) Won 4

Games Remaining: HOU, at PIT, at DEN

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 32

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No. 2 (LW: 2) Buffalo Bills 11-3, 7-2 in AFC (Clinched AFC East)

Last Week: Win at DET (48-42) Won 1

Games Remaining – NE, NYJ, at NE

Current Overall Draft Position: 29

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No. 3 Pittsburgh Steelers (LW: 3) 10-4, 7-2 in AFC (Clinched Playoffs)

Last Week: Loss at PHI (27-13) Lost 1

Games Remaining – at BAL, KC, CIN

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 26

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No. 4 Houston Texans (LW: 4) 9-5, 7-2 in AFC (Clinched Playoffs)

Last Week: Win vs. MIA (20-12) Won 2

Games Remaining – at KC, BAL, at TEN

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 25

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No. 5 Baltimore Ravens (LW: 5) 9-4, 5-4 in AFC (Playoff Prob. – 97%)

Last Week: Win at NYG (35-21) – Won 1

Games Remaining – PIT, at HOU, CLE

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 24

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No. 6 Los Angeles Chargers (LW: 6) 9-6, 6-4 in AFC (Playoff Prob. – 97%)

Last Week: Won vs. DEN (34-27) Won 1

Games Remaining – at NE, at LV

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 21

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No. 7 Denver Broncos (LW: 7) 9-6, 5-5 in AFC (Playoff Prob. – 84%)

Last Week: Lost at LAC (34-27) – Lost 1

Games Remaining – at CIN, at KC

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 22

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No. 8 Indianapolis Colts (LW: 8) 6-8, 5-5 in AFC (Playoff Prob. – 11%)

Last Week: Loss at Den (31-13) – Lost 1

Games Remaining – TEN, at NYG, JAX

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 14

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No. 9 Miami Dolphins (LW: 9) 6-8, 5-5 in AFC (Playoff Prob. – 6%)

Last Week: Loss at HOU (20-12) Lost 1

Games Remaining – SF, at CLE, at NYJ

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 13

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

LW: Win at TEN (37-27) Won 2

Games Remaining – CLE, DEN, at PIT

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 13

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No. 11 New York Jets (LW: 13) 4-10, 4-6 in AFC (Eliminated)

Last Week: Win at JAX (32-25) Won 1

Games Remaining – LAR, at BUF, MIA

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 8

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No. 12 Cleveland Browns (LW: 11) 3-11, 3-6 in AFC (Eliminated)

LW: Loss vs. KC (21-7) Lost 3

Games Remaining – at CIN, MIA, at BAL

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 7

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No. 13 Jacksonville Jaguars (LW: 12) 3-11, 3-6 in AFC (Eliminated)

Last Week: Loss vs. NYJ (32-25) Lost 1

Games Remaining – at LV, TEN, at IND

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 4

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No. 14 Tennessee Titans (LW: 14) 3-11, 3-6 in AFC (Eliminated)

Last Week: Loss vs. CIN (37-27) Lost 4

Games Remaining – at IND, at JAX, HOU

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 6

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No. 15 New England Patriots (LW: 15) 3-11, 2-8 in AFC (Eliminated)

Last Week: Loss at AZ (30-17) – Lost 4

Games Remaining – at BUF, LAC, BUF

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 3

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No. 16 Las Vegas Raiders (LW: 16) 2-11, 2-8 in AFC (Eliminated)

Last Week: Loss vs. ATL (15-9) Lost 10

Games Remaining – JAX, at NO, LAC

Current Overall 2025 Tankathon Draft Position: 1

This Week’s Significant Games for Steeler Nation

Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs (Sat 1:00 PM EST)

This is going to sound absolutely crazy, but the Chiefs are the more beneficial team to cheer for here for two reasons. 1) Houston is breathing down the Steelers necks, and you don’t want to slip to No. 4. 2) The Steelers face the Chiefs on Christmas Day, and they aren’t a team likely to lose again after a loss.

The Pick: Kansas City Chiefs

Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals (Sun 1:00 PM EST)

Let me start off with the proclamation that I abhor Ohio. But seriously, nobody wants to see the Bengals in the playoffs. They are hot though, and need to be slowed down. However, the Browns don’t seem up to the task. Even though it sucks to root for Cleveland, it’s necessary here.

The Pick: Cleveland Browns

Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts (Sun 1:00 PM EST)

The Broncos failed to win and eliminate Cincy on TNF. A Colts win keeps them ahead of the Bengals.

The Pick: Indianapolis Colts

New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills (Sun 4:25 PM EST)

The idea of anybody slowing down the Bills is inconceivable, especially the Patriots. But the Steelers could possibly rise above the Bills with a win and a Buffalo loss.

The Pick: New England Patriots

Other AFC Opponents in Action:

• Los Angeles Rams at New York Jets (Sun 1:00 PM EST)
• Jacksonville Jaguars at Las Vegas Raiders (Sun 4:25 PM EST)
• San Francisco 49ers at Miami Dolphins (Sun 4:25 PM EST)