The Steelers take on the Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in their 2024 regular-season finale this Saturday night.

The AFC North may still be up for grabs. Then again, it may not be. Why? The Ravens take on the Browns at M&T Bank Stadium in their 2024 regular-season finale at 4:30 p.m. that same day.

If the Ravens win, they run the North. If Cleveland wins, Pittsburgh will have a chance to take ownership of the division for the first time since 2020.

My fingers are crossed for a Browns win. Your fingers are crossed for a Browns win. But what are the chances of a Browns win? Let’s face it, when Steelers fans normally use their fingers to make gestures about the Browns, it’s usually only one, and it’s the digit that sits between the index finger and the ring finger. Sure, it’s because we hate them, but it’s also because we know they suck.

As for Browns fans, the team has been so bad this year (3-13 through 16 games) that they’ve been using the thumbs-down gesture (and probably also the one involving the digit that sits between the index finger and ring finger).

Let’s be real, Cleveland isn’t going to do the Steelers any favors. I should say, Cleveland isn’t equipped to do the Steelers any favors–not unless the Lord briefly intervenes and delivers that organization from all of the suck that it’s produced since 1999. By the time Pittsburgh’s finale kicks off at 8 p.m. EST on ABC/ESPN, there may be nothing up for grabs besides the highest wildcard seed.

If I’m the Steelers, I’m going for the fifth seed. They owe it to themselves to do that. They certainly can’t rest any players, at least not any that are capable of contributing. In another year, when perhaps Pittsburgh had the roster to slide down to a lower seed and still do some damage in the postseason, I’d say, rest your players.

But this isn’t that year. No, the Steelers are not good enough to defeat just anyone in the upcoming playoff field. They have to be strategic. Globally, their goal is always to win a Lombardi, but let’s not kid ourselves: It’s pretty clear that the organization’s current top desire is to win a playoff game, something that hasn’t happened since January of 2017.

Outside of a division championship and a home date on Super Wild Card Weekend, the best way for that to finally happen is with a trip to Houston to take on the fourth-seeded Texans.

Am I saying the Steelers will absolutely win that matchup? No, but I’d like their chances a lot better than I would against a Ravens team that physically had its way with them on December 21. Don’t misunderstand: I think Pittsburgh could win a playoff game at Baltimore, but Houston just seems like a better bet.

What about after that? Is the goal just one playoff victory now? Is that what this organization and fan base are celebrating these days?

Hey, I just want to celebrate that again. I can’t remember what it feels like. If it happens, we can worry about the other stuff–like deluding ourselves into thinking they can go on the road and beat the Chiefs–later.

All I know is the Steelers can’t rest anyone this Saturday night, regardless of what transpires earlier in the day. Even if they thought they could get away with it, they probably won’t since the Bengals will still be alive for a playoff spot and would probably destroy James Pierre and Co.

I’m not sure if Mike Tomlin reads this column, but if he does, please don’t exercise caution, Coach.

The AFC North title may be the top priority, but the fifth seed isn’t a bad consolation prize.