Sport replace: The Cincinnati Bengals stored their slim playoff hopes alive with a 19-17 win Saturday night time over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cincinnati wants a loss from the Denver Broncos Sunday towards the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, and a loss or a tie from the Miami Dolphins towards the New York Jets, to clinch the ultimate AFC playoff spot.
As for the Steelers, whereas they’re within the playoffs even with this loss, Saturday night time’s defeat may see the Steelers drop from the No. 5 spot to the No. 6 spot within the AFC, if the Los Angeles Chargers win or tie towards the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. The No. 6 seed performs the Baltimore Ravens on Wild Card Weekend, whereas the No. 5 seed performs the Houston Texans.
Only one week stays within the 2024 NFL common season.
All 4 AFC North groups are in motion on Saturday, with a pair of video games that include vital playoff implications.
Within the early Saturday recreation, the Baltimore Ravens have an opportunity to win the AFC North towards the Cleveland Browns. The Ravens have already clinched a playoff spot, however they will win the division in that contest.
Saturday night time the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Cincinnati Bengals. Whereas the Steelers have clinched a spot within the postseason, they will nonetheless win the AFC North if the Ravens lose earlier within the day. As for the Bengals, they want a win — and a few assist — simply to clinch the No. 7 seed.
Listed here are the playoff eventualities for each the Bengals and the Steelers heading into Week 18.
Steelers playoff image
Pittsburgh enters Week 18 with a 10-6 file, having already clinched a playoff spot.
However the AFC North continues to be inside their grasp.
The 11-5 Baltimore Ravens management their future relating to the division title, however the Steelers can win the AFC North if the Ravens lose to the Cleveland Browns within the early recreation on Saturday, and the Steelers defeat the Bengals.
Which means Pittsburgh may know their destiny earlier than Saturday night time’s recreation towards Cincinnati. If Baltimore wins or ties towards Cleveland, the Ravens are AFC North champions. Nonetheless, the Steelers will nonetheless have one thing to play for.
Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin indicated earlier this week that he wouldn’t be resting his starters ought to the Ravens clinch the division within the early recreation. Why? As a result of relying on outcomes across the league there may be nonetheless an opportunity the Steelers slide down into the No. 6 spot.
The No. 5 seed will play the Houston Texans on Wild Card Weekend, because the Texans are locked into the No. 4 seed. The No. 6 seed performs the No. 3 seed, which is able to go to the AFC North winner. Even when the Ravens win within the early recreation, Tomlin may wish to play to win Saturday night time to keep away from a gathering with Baltimore on Wild Card Weekend.
Bengals playoff image
As for the Bengals, they want a win over Pittsburgh, and a few assist, to get into the playoffs.
First issues first, the Bengals have to win on Saturday night time. A loss or a tie towards the Steelers eliminates Cincinnati. As famous above the Steelers could know their division destiny earlier than kickoff. Pittsburgh can nonetheless win the AFC North, however they would want the Baltimore Ravens — overwhelming favorites towards the Cleveland Browns within the early recreation on Saturday — to lose. But when the Ravens win or tie within the early recreation, the Steelers can’t win the division.
However even when the Steelers are eradicated from profitable the division, head coach Mike Tomlin has nonetheless indicated that he won’t relaxation his starters towards the Bengals. Why? As a result of the Steelers may fall to the No. 6 seed with a lack of their very own, which might imply a visit to Baltimore on Wild Card Weekend. The Steelers can clinch the No. 5 seed, and a recreation towards the No. 4 Houston Texans, with a win over Cincinnati.
Now, assuming Cincinnati wins Saturday night time, the job is just not accomplished. As a result of the Bengals want the Denver Broncos to lose to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (who’re resting their starters) on Sunday, in addition to the Miami Dolphins to lose or tie towards the New York Jets.
Tiebreaker implications
This recreation doesn’t have vital tiebreaker implications.