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There’s still something on the line, even if the black and gold can’t clinch the AFC North in Week 17.
The Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5) are set to host the Kansas City Chiefs (14-1) in Week 17 — a team that’s felt almost as lucky as the black and gold to this point in the season. Though both the Chiefs and the Steelers have both locked up their spot in the NFL playoffs, there’s still plenty on the line in this matchup — yes, even for the 14-1 Chiefs).
Kansas City looks to secure the No. 1 seed with a first-round bye and home-field advantage through the postseason with a win (or BUF loss). The Chiefs are favored to be the AFC’s No. 1 seed with -750 odds on FanDuel Sportsbook, though the Bills are still technically in it at +550. The Chiefs are also favored to win the AFC Championship currently at +195 odds.
The Steelers, having already secured a playoff berth, are tied with the Baltimore Ravens with a 10-5 record, though they have the tiebreaker thanks a higher win percentage in conference games at .700. Still, that means this is a crucial week; the black and gold control their own destiny, after all. The Steelers currently sit with +160 odds to win the division in comparison to the Ravens’ odds at -190, now favored after defeating the Steelers just last week.
If the Steelers did fall to the Wild Card Round, they’d likely sit as the No. 5 seed, which would mean they played the Houston Texans in Houston to open up the playoffs — which might not be the worst circumstance under which to earn their first postseason win since the 2016 season.