Panthers vs. Steelers: What Game Means to NFL Playoff Picture, Playoff Scenarios

Panthers vs. Steelers seems like a lopsided game for this late in the NFL season, but when the two teams meet up tonight at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, there is plenty to keep an eye on as far as the AFC playoffs are concerned.

The Steelers have already clinched a playoff spot, and a win this week or next would secure the AFC North championship.

Depending on what the New York Jets, New England Patriots and Baltimore Panthers do over the final two weeks of the season, the Steelers are fighting to stay in the No. 2 spot or risk entering the playoffs as a wild card.

On paper, the 10-4 Steelers clearly own the matchup with the 2-12 Panthers. Pittsburgh had a chance to take a step up in the AFC North and perhaps on the rest of the conference's playoff teams but fell in a heartbreaker to the New York Jets last week.

Regardless of opponent, this is a crucial week for the Steelers. Luckily for the city of Pittsburgh, it comes at a perfect time for their team. It's playing against the worst team in the league.

The rugged Pittsburgh defense is bound to wreak havoc on Carolina's rookie quarterback Jimmy Clausen. In many ways, this could be the most lopsided game NFL fans will see in Week 16.

Assuming the Steelers do handle the Panthers, what of it?

At this point, the best the Steelers can do is win their division and lock up the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs. The top seed and home-field advantage is out of the question because New England—which could do no worse than 12-4—owns the tiebreaker over Pittsburgh. If New England does falter, it would come at the benefit of the Jets, who also own the tiebreaker over Pittsburgh.

If, for some reason, the Steelers finish the season with two straight losses, they would still make the playoffs. How the Ravens fare over the next two weeks, though, could decide where the Steelers end up. The teams have split their matchups this season, but Pittsburgh owns the tiebreaker over Baltimore with a superior record against divisional opponents.

The next two weeks sure hold the key to what the AFC playoff field will look like—and it all starts tonight as the Steelers take on the Panthers.