NFL Overreactions Week 11
USAT’s Prince Grimes breaks down the biggest storylines from NFL Week 11.
Sports Seriously
People are obsessed with images.
It’s all about the phone that has the best camera and television with the best picture. That’s no different in the NFL, where playoff picture quality is top of mind this time of year.
The Pittsburgh Steelers made an early statement in the AFC North, but objects in the rearview mirror are closer than they appear. It’s the rival Baltimore Ravens lurking in the shadows, waiting for their moment to pounce. A once comfortable lead in the division is now too close for comfort.
After seeing Aaron Rodgers exit with a wrist injury in Week 11, those standings have come into focus. There are still more twists and turns before the picture is finalized, but the Steelers still have plenty of work to do.
Here’s the latest look at the Steelers playoff odds, remaining schedule and AFC playoff picture.
Steelers playoff odds
The Steelers currently sit atop the AFC North and check in with the four seed in the AFC playoff picture. Despite this, they only have a 39% chance to make the playoffs, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.
It’s potentially shaping up to be division-or-bust for Pittsburgh, with a crowded wild-card race and the surging Ravens quickly flying up the standings. Even though they are 10th in the AFC’s playoff picture, NFL Next Gen Stats gives Baltimore a 77% chance to make the postseason.
For Pittsburgh, the task is clear – keep winning. While the odds seem to be against them, the Steelers are in control of their own destiny.
Steelers remaining schedule
The Steelers will face the NFL’s 13th-hardest schedule the remainder of the season, per Tankathon. They have three matchups remaining against teams with winning records and three divisional opponents.
Below is a look at Pittsburgh’s remaining opponents:
AFC North standings
The Steelers entered Week 11 in control of first place in the AFC North standings. They remain there after their win over the Bengals. Below is a look at the pecking order within the division.
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4)Baltimore Ravens (5-5)Cincinnati Bengals (3-7)Cleveland Browns (2-8)
Pittsburgh is in control of their own destiny in the division race, courtesy of their one-game lead over Baltimore. That could quickly evaporate, however, as the Steelers and Ravens still have two matchups on the schedule. Barring something unforeseen, this is a two-team race.
AFC playoff pictureDenver Broncos (9-2; AFC West leaders)New England Patriots (9-2; AFC East leaders)Indianapolis Colts (8-2; AFC South leaders)Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4; AFC North leaders)Buffalo Bills (7-3; wild card No. 1)Los Angeles Chargers (7-4; wild card No. 2)Jacksonville Jaguars (6-4; wild card No. 3)
In the hunt: Houston Texans (5-5), Kansas City Chiefs (5-5), Baltimore Ravens (5-5), Miami Dolphins (4-7), Cincinnati Bengals (3-7), Las Vegas Raiders (2-7), New York Jets (2-8), Cleveland Browns (2-8), Tennessee Titans (1-9)