The Pittsburgh Steelers controlled their destiny entering Week 16. If they won their final two games, the team would head to the playoffs as the sixth seed. Unfortunately, the New York Jets upset Pittsburgh, and all the Steelers can do is play to win and hope things fall in their favor in Week 17.
The Tennessee Titans currently hold the sixth seed in the AFC; the Steelers can still make the playoffs if they win and the Titans lose or tie. There are several other less likely scenarios detailed on the team's website as well.
The point is, the Steelers can still make the playoffs. They have to win and get a little help from other teams. While Pittsburgh's postseason hopes hold on by a thread, there's a genuine chance the team pulls off an upset against the Baltimore Ravens.
4. Defensive dominance
Opponents scored 20 or more points against the Steelers six times this season. However, Pittsburgh's defense kept opponents below 20 points in six of the team's last seven games. Despite the offense's struggles, the defense is truly elite.
This is the same defense that allowed 26 points to Baltimore in Week 5. Remember, Pittsburgh intercepted Lamar Jackson three times that game. The future MVP threw just six interceptions all season. Pittsburgh's defense held Baltimore to 138 rushing yards, despite the Ravens averaging 204.9 rushing yards per game this year.
If Pittsburgh's defense performed that well in Week 5, they should do even better in Week 17, especially considering the next reason.
3. Baltimore starting backups
Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Ravens will rest Mark Ingram, Jackson, Earl Thomas, Brandon Williams, and Marshal Yanda on Sunday. Regardless of whether the team is winning or losing, Baltimore will likely pull other star players throughout the game.
The Ravens locked up the first seed in the AFC last week, so the season finale means nothing to them in terms of seeding. Losing a crucial player to an injury in a game like that would be silly and pointless. Mark Andrews, Marlon Humphrey, Matt Judon, Marcus Peters, and Ronnie Stanley could all see their days end early if things get too rough for John Harbaugh's liking.
Per the Ravens' official website, Harbaugh said that both Robert Griffin III and Trace McSorley could play on Sunday. If he does play, it will be McSorley's first action in a regular season game. That shows how lightly the Ravens are treating this game, and it works in Pittsburgh's favor.
2. Revival of the pass rush
The Steelers boast one of the most dominant pass rushes in the NFL. This season, the team ranks second in sacks with 51. Only the Carolina Panthers (52) have more. However, Pittsburgh's pass rush has stalled in recent weeks.
In Week 14, the Steelers sacked Kyler Murray five times. The constant pressure also forced the rookie quarterback into making some bad throws. That game is a perfect example of the power of Pittsburgh's pass rush. However, the team only posted one sack in Week 15 and two in Week 16.
T.J. Watt is a Defensive Player of the Year candidate, Cameron Heyward is in the midst of an All-Pro caliber season, and Bud Dupree finally looks like a worthy first-round pick. Even if Dupree is unavailable for the finale because of an injury he suffered last week, Pittsburgh needs to hunt down Griffin. Against backups, it's time for the Steelers to feast.
1. It's do or die time
Week 17 decides Pittsburgh's season. Mike Tomlin and the team as a whole deserves a lot of credit for persevering through injuries this year, but they should've locked up a playoff berth. Losing to the Buffalo Bills in Week 15 was understandable but frustrating. Losing to the Jets was just unacceptable. When the ball was in Pittsburgh's court over the last two weeks, the team came up short.
At the least, the Steelers should finish this season 9-7. Losing the final three games of the year would be cruel after what the team went through early in the year. Even if it's a game against backups and the Steelers probably will miss the playoffs, fans will judge the 2019 season on this one game.
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