Steelers Clinch Playoff Spot Despite Disappointing Loss To Bills

PITTSBURGH, PA — There was one significant sliver lining in the black and gold cloud of the Steelers sloppy 26-15 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night: Despite the defeat, the team clinched its first NFL playoff berth in three seasons.

That occurred earlier in the day when the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Miami Dolphins and guaranteed the Steelers would be in the NFL postseason for the first time since 2017. However, by virtue of the Chiefs win and the Steelers loss, the Chiefs now are the AFC's top seed with a 12-1 record; the Steelers are second at 11-2.

That's not the only cause for concern as the Steelers deal with an offense that has been putrid for the past month and an injury-riddled defense. If the Cleveland Browns defeat the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night, they will have a 10-3 record and will be just a game behind the Steelers in the AFC North.

The Steelers remaining games are against the Cincinnati Bengals (2-10-1), the Indianapolis Colts (9-4) and the Browns. The Brown remaining games after they play the Ravens are against the New York Giants (5-8), the New York Jets (0-13) and the Steelers.

Back to the playoffs: The last time the Steelers made the postseason in 2017, they lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars 45-42 at Heinz Field. In 2016, they defeated the Miami Dolphins and the Chiefs before losing to the New England Patriots.