By the time the Steelers kick off against the Bengals on Saturday night, they’ll know if they’re still in contention for the AFC North crown.
Should Baltimore beat Cleveland in Saturday’s first game, then the Ravens will clinch the division. That means, in theory, Pittsburgh could rest its starters with just the risk of losing a seed in the conference’s playoff positioning.
But Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin didn’t seem to want to go that route when asked about it during his Monday press conference.
“I haven’t pondered that at all, to be quite honest with you,” Tomlin said when asked if he’d potentially rest starters if the Ravens win. “That might be a thought for later in the week. But as I mentioned, I think it’s significant how we go into this tournament. So, I doubt that I’ll be in that mentality that you mentioned.”
Tomlin had mentioned that he wanted to get the stench of the last game off of the club earlier on in his presser. But the Steelers have also lost their last three games — falling to the Eagles, Ravens, and Chiefs since defeating Cleveland on Dec. 8.
The head coach said he felt “really good” about how the team responded to being back in the building on Monday.
“We were very transparent about what needs to be done and our course of action in an effort to create it,” Tomlin said. “But, again, I think we show mentality with our urgency and how we work. And so I’m excited about getting back on the grass tomorrow and starting the process. But, some bright eyes, some rested faces. Felt real good about what we were able to get done in a classroom-type setting this morning.”
Coming off a Christmas Day loss to the Chiefs, the Steelers are expecting a couple of players back for Saturday’s matchup with the Bengals.
Head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters in his Monday press conference that the team is “moving in the right direction” when it comes to getting players healthy.
“This week, it looks like Joey Porter is scheduled to make it back, along with Ben Skowronek,” Tomlin said. “And so getting a healthy outfit, particularly as you get toward the end of this season and lean in on a single elimination tournament is big business for us. We’re excited about the issues of dividing the labor up and having, really, a full stable at our disposal in the effort to formulate plans and make plays.
“It’s going to be needed, quite honestly, because Cincinnati is red hot.”
Porter was sidelined by a knee injury for the matchup with Kansas City. Skowronek was dealing with a hip injury.
Playing on Saturday, Pittsburgh’s first injury report of the week is due out on Tuesday.
Next Sunday night’s game between the Lions and Vikings may be the most consequential game on the Week 18 schedule, but it is far from the only one that will impact the playoff picture.
Saturday’s games will determine who wins the AFC North as well as whether the Bengals will have any chance of advancing to the postseason. If they beat the Steelers, they will be alive on Sunday and the Ravens will be the division champions. The Ravens will also take the crown by beating the Browns while a Steelers win and a Ravens loss will make Pittsburgh the AFC North champions.
The winner of the AFC North will be the third seed in the AFC. The Chiefs are No. 1, the Bills are No. 2 and the Texans are No. 4.
If the Bengals win, they’ll need the Broncos to lose to the Chiefs and the Dolphins to lose to the Jets in order to advance. A Broncos win makes them a wild card team while the Dolphins get the spot with a win and a Denver loss.
Atlanta’s loss on Sunday night means the Bucs will win the NFC South by beating the Saints. The Falcons will get the title with a win and a Bucs loss while losses by both teams will mean Tampa advances.
The Lions and Vikings will close out the regular season in Detroit on Sunday night. Both teams are in the playoffs, but the winner will be the NFC North champs and the No. 1 seed in the NFC while the loser will be on the road in the first round as the fifth seed.
Elsewhere in the NFC, the Eagles are guaranteed the No. 2 seed, but either the Rams or the NFC South champ could wind up as the No. 3 seed. The Packers and Commanders will also sort out who finishes sixth and seventh, so there are plenty of meaningful games to be played in Week 18.
Saturday will be for the AFC North in Week 18.
The NFL has placed the two divisional matchups between the Browns and Ravens along with the Bengals and Steelers on Saturday for the last weekend of the season.
The Browns and Ravens will lead things off on ESPN and ABC at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. The Bengals and Steelers will follow at 8 p.m. ET on the same networks.
Both Baltimore and Pittsburgh have already clinched a playoff spot at 11-5 and 10-6, respectively, but the division is still up for grabs.
If the Ravens defeat the Browns, then they’ll win the AFC North. Though Baltimore lost to Cleveland earlier in the season, the Browns have struggled mightily on offense since Dorian Thompson-Robinson took over at quarterback.
The Bengals will be particularly motivated to win on Saturday night because they’re still alive to be the AFC’s No. 7 seed. But even if they win, they’ll need both the Broncos and Dolphins to lose on Sunday in order to make the postseason. If Pittsburgh wins, Cincinnati will be eliminated from postseason contention.
Denver will play at Kansas City and Miami will visit the Jets in Week 18. Kickoff for both games will be at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday.
After playing three games in 11 days, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes will play zero in 25.
It’s very likely, we’re told, that the Chiefs will rest key starters in a Week 18 game at Denver. Others have reported that the Chiefs are “expected” to sit Mahomes and others.
Look for an official announcement to come early in the week from coach Andy Reid.
It’s very good news for the Broncos, who need to win next Sunday to make it to the playoffs for the first time since Super Bowl 50. It’s very bad news for the Bengals, Colts, and Dolphins, whose postseason hopes hinge on Denver losing again.
It ultimately could end up being bad news for the Chiefs, if the Broncos make it as the No. 7 seed, upset the Bills, and roll into Arrowhead Stadium with momentum against a Chiefs team that might be caught flatfooted after having nearly a month off.
Earlier this year, the Broncos were a field goal away from beating the Chiefs at home. The kick was blocked, sealing the Kansas City win.
