Steelers’ path to the playoffs now clear: beat Browns, have Patriots, Dolphins lose

Chris Adamski
Monday, Jan. 2, 2023 12:12 a.m. | Monday, Jan. 2, 2023 12:12 a.m.

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Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review

Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Diontae Johnson celebrates with running back Najee Harris after Harris’ touchdown catch to put the Steelers up on the Ravens with 56 seconds left in the fourth quarter of Sunday night’s win at M&T Bank Stadium that kept the Steelers’ playoff hopes alive.

BALTIMORE – When 2023 began, the Pittsburgh Steelers had a 2% chance at making the playoffs.

By the end of a wild New Year’s Day, their odds improved more than seven fold. And now, all they need is a win and a little help from their friends in Buffalo and New York.

The Steelers’ chances of making the playoffs are up to 15%, according to fivethirtyeight.com’s analytics. What they need to qualify for the postseason for a third consecutive season is a Buffalo Bills win (or tie) against the visiting New England Patriots coupled with a New York Jets win (or tie) at the Miami Dolphins.

Oh, and a win of their own against the visiting Cleveland Browns.

(A Steelers’ tie, coupled with losses by New England and Miami, also would get the Steelers into the postseason).

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Winners of six of their past eight to get to 8-8, the Steelers lost to the Browns, 29-27, Sept. 22. Cleveland has won four of its past six to get to 7-9.

The Bills (12-3) are in contention for the top seed in the AFC playoffs, while the Patriots (8-8) have lost four of their past six.

The Jets (8-8) and Dolphins (8-8) each have lost five in a row.

The Steelers stayed alive Sunday by way of their 16-13 win at the Baltimore Ravens combined with a Jets loss at the Seattle Seahawks, 23-6, and the Dolphins losing 23-21 to New England.

The Steelers are 2 1/2-point favorites against Cleveland, according to www.BetOnline.ag, while the Patriots are 8-point underdogs against Buffalo and the Dolphins are 4-point favorites against New York.

Hey, Steelers Nation, get the latest news about the Pittsburgh Steelers here.

Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.