Steelers fail to clinch AFC North for the fourth consecutive season with Ravens win in Week 18

The Pittsburgh Steelers are officially out of contention the 2024 AFC North title as of Week 18, as the Baltimore Ravens managed a 35-10 win over the Cleveland Browns to kick off Saturday’s doubleheader.

The Steelers have now missed out on their fourth consecutive division win, having last won the title back in 2020 with a 12-4 overall record. Unfortunately, it didn’t amount to anything, losing at home in the Wild Card against the Cleveland Browns.

This division loss is especially painful considering the Steelers once controlled their own destiny. Pittsburgh would have clinched the AFC North title with a win over the Ravens in Week 16, but a three-game losing skid has them fighting for their seeding in the Wild Card now. As it stands, the first four seeds in the AFC have been decided; the Kansas City Chiefs have a first-round bye, with the Buffalo Bills at the No. 2 seed, Baltimore Ravens at No. 3 and Houston Texans at No. 4. Now, all that’s left to be decided through the remainder of Week 18 is the Wild Card seeding and final Wild Card team.

The Steelers kick off Week 18 against the Cincinnati Bengals from Acrisure Stadium at 8 p.m. ET, airing on ABC and ESPN. If the Steelers manage a win, they’ll lock in the No. 5 seed and travel to face the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round. With a loss, they’ll nab the No. 6 seed and travel to face … the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card. The Steelers just made the journey to M&T Bank Stadium just back in Week 16, 34-17, with the two teams splitting the regular-season series.

The Bengals can still make it into the postseason with a win over the Steelers on Saturday + a Broncos loss (vs. KC) and Dolphins loss or tie (@ NYJ).

The Broncos will clinch the final playoff spot in the AFC with a win or tie OR a loss/tie from both the Bengals and Broncos.

The Dolphins can clinch with a win and a Denver loss against Kansas City.