NFL playoff picture: What does Steelers-Browns mean for AFC standings in Week 17

The Pittsburgh Steelers travel to face the Cleveland Browns in Week 17, and while it is not a must-win for the Steelers, it would make their lives a whole lot easier heading into their Week 18 finale against the Baltimore Ravens.

Pittsburgh will be without edge rusher T.J. Watt and cornerback James Pierre in this game. Left guard Isaac Seumalo is listed as questionable. The Browns will be without tight end David Njoku, while right guard Wyatt Teller and running back Dylan Sampson are both listed as questionable.

The game kicks off at 1 p.m. ET and the Steelers are a 4.5-point road favorite. Here’s what the game means for the Steelers playoff positioning.

Pittsburgh Steelers playoff picture

The Steelers can punch their playoff ticket with a win over the Browns. If Pittsburgh wins, they will clinch the AFC North title. The Texans win on Saturday means the Steelers would be locked into the No. 4 seed regardless of Jacksonville and Houston’s results the rest of the way.

The Ravens beat the Packers on Saturday night, which left them alive in the AFC North race. If the Steelers lose to the Browns, Week 18 between the Steelers and Ravens in Pittsburgh would be for the division title. The loser would be eliminated from the playoff picture.

Tiebreaker implications

There are no implications at this point. The Ravens need the Steelers to lose to the Browns and then needs to beat Pittsburgh in Week 18.