Here Are Steelers Playoff Chances Going Into Browns Rematch

PITTSBURGH, PA - The Steelers improved their chances to make the NFL playoffs with an at-times difficult to watch 16-10 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, but the upcoming rematch with the Cleveland Browns on Sunday could have a huge impact on their season.

In climbing above below .500, the Steelers now have a 45 percent chance to make the playoffs, according to a New York Times probability tool based on nearly 22,000 computer simulations. They have a 40 percent chance of being a road wild card team, a three percent chance of being a home wild card team and a two percent chance of obtaining a bye during the wild card week.

The Times noted that the 6-5 Steelers have a favorable schedule to close out the season, with games against the 5-6 Browns, 4-7 New York Jets and the 3-7-1 Arizona Cardinals along with the 8-3 Buffalo Bills and the 8-2 Ravens. The Ravens game closes out the season, and Baltimore could rest many of its starters if it already has clinched the AFC North division as seems likely.

A win against the Browns would boost the Steelers playoff chances to 63 percent, according to the Times simulator. A loss would be devastating, lowering the playoff odds to just 21 percent.

So Steelers fans have to root for the team to take care of business Sunday at Heinz Field and also root against their main rivals for a wild card spot: The Raiders, Colts, Texans and Bills.