The Pittsburgh Steelers will play their final regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday, ending an up-and-down 18-week season. However, they still do not know their playoff opponent, and it could be one of three teams, depending on how Saturday plays out.
First, the only three opponents the Steelers could draw is a third game against the Baltimore Ravens, a rematch against the Los Angeles Chargers, or a trip to face the Houston Texans.
With a win, the Steelers eliminate the Ravens as a possible opponent. However, heading back to Baltimore starts with a loss to the Bengals. On Sunday, the Chargers would then have to beat the Raiders, dropping the Steelers to the sixth seed and a trip to Baltimore.
For a trip to Houston, the Steelers have to beat the Bengals. On top of that, the Ravens would have to beat the Cleveland Browns and clinch the AFC North. In that scenario, the Steelers will secure the fifth seed. The other way the Steelers can get this, even with a loss, is if the Chargers lose to the Raiders.
Lastly, the Steelers would need to beat the Bengals, and the Ravens would have to lose to the Browns for the Steelers to land the third seed and have a game against the Chargers. If that happens, that game will be played at Acrisure Stadium.
All in all, the Steelers could be the third, fifth, or sixth seed in the playoffs with three varying opponents. All of that will become much clearer, and by the end of Saturday, the Steelers could know their opponent for next week’s playoff clash.