Steelers Improbably Make Playoffs: What Happened, What's Next

PITTSBURGH, PA — Overcoming a 1-3 start, an impotent offense and inconsistent defense, the Steelers finished the regular season with a 9-7-1 record and captured the last AFC playoff spot. But unless you stayed up late Sunday, you probably are unaware of how close the team came to not securing that position.

WHAT HAPPENED: The Steelers began Sunday with the likelihood of the game being Ben Roethlisberger's last at quarterback, reports of general manager Kevin Colbert's imminent retirementand as a longshot to make the playoffs. They needed three things to happen:

• Beat the Ravens

That occurred in a nerve-wracking game in Baltimore, as the Steelers captured a 16-13 overtime victory against the hated Ravens, which knocked them out of playoff contention. You watched the game, you know the details.

• Have Jacksonville upset Indianapolis.

The 2-14 Jaguars entered the game as 15-point underdogs to the 9-7 Colts, but upset them 26-11 to eliminate them from playoff contention.

• Have the Las Vegas-Los Angeles Chargers game not end in a tie.

Here's what you missed if you went to bed early: the Raiders and Chargers very nearly did tie. Regulation ended with a 29-29 tie. Both teams traded field goals in overtime before Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson kicked the game-winner with no time left and sent the Steelers to the playoffs.

WHAT'S NEXT: The Steelers travel to Kansas City to play the Chiefs Sunday night at 8:15 p.m. The Chiefs last month dismantled the Steelers in a 37-10 victory. The Steelers are 12.5-point underdogs, according to Oddshark.com.

The Chiefs are second only to the Green Bay Packers as the favorites to win Super Bowl 56, according to Draftkings.Com. The Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles are the least likely of the playoff teams to win the Super Bowl.

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