Pittsburgh Steelers: Odds on Who They Could Meet in Playoffs, How They Match Up

The Pittsburgh Steelers are nearly a lock for a spot in the playoffs every season, but who will they play this year?

The Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens are the best teams in the AFC North with 8-3 records, but unfortunately for the Steelers, the Ravens hold the tiebreaker.

Because of this, I believe the Ravens will win the division and the Steelers will clinch the top wild-card spot.

If this turns out to be the case, which is more than likely what’s going to happen, these are the odds on who the Steelers will face in the playoffs.

New York Jets

Odds: Long Shot

I look for the New York Jets to grab the other wild-card spot, and it will take a lot to happen for the Steelers to meet the Jets in the playoffs.

I believe the Steelers match up well with the Jets, and I think they could do exactly what they did to them last year in the playoffs and that’s put them out. The Steelers play the same brand of football that the Jets play except they do it better.

The Jets would basically have to run the table to meet the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game, and I just don’t see that happening. But then again, they’ve done it two years in a row now.
 

Houston Texans

Odds: Not Likely

The odds of the Steelers meeting the Houston Texans in the playoffs are very slim.

Even without a quarterback in sight other than Jake Delhomme, the Texans have a great supporting cast and have a fairly easy schedule the rest of the way.

The Texans should clinch their division and finish higher than the Oakland Raiders which means they would face the lesser of the two Wild Cards.

That wouldn’t be the Steelers, and they would lose to the New York Jets. Although, if the Steelers were lucky enough to face the Texans, I believe it would be a route simply because of their great defense and the Texans' shortcomings at quarterback.

Oakland Raiders

Odds: Almost a Lock

I look for the Steelers to meet the Oakland Raiders in the first round of the playoffs.

With the Denver Broncos and Tim Tebow train looking like it’s not ready to slow down any time soon, the Raiders will have their hands full the rest of the regular season.

I still look for them to win their division, but then have to play the Steelers. I think both of these teams match up quite well actually.

The Raiders have an incredibly strong rushing attack, and as you know, the Steelers are stout on defense.

The Steelers' experience in the playoffs and ability to use more weapons on the offensive side of the ball will be the difference-maker in this one.

Baltimore Ravens

Odds: Very Likely

I’m not sure when or where these two teams will cross paths, but it has to happen.

I mean, it seems like every season these two teams meet in the playoffs, and both teams have said this season that the way to the championship is through the other.

Should they meet again, I feel like the Ravens will have an advantage because they’ve gotten the better of the Steelers twice in the regular season, but don’t count out the Steelers.

Pittsburgh is a veteran group that knows how to win in the playoffs and make it back to the championship game. I’m hoping for another Baltimore/Pittsburgh classic here.

New England Patriots

Odds: Good

The destination for both of these teams is the AFC Championship Game, and I have a good feeling that we’ll see these two teams play there.

I don’t think there are any teams better in the AFC than the Steelers and New England Patriots. Yes, I know that the Ravens beat the Steelers twice, but one of those was the first game of the season and the last one was a nail-biter.

The Steelers are strong on defense, while the Patriots are strong on offense. I believe this matchup favors the Steelers because of the Steelers’ ability to torch this Patriots defense.

That will be the difference-maker if and when these two teams meet.