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Steelers Not That Much of a Longshot to Make Playoffs

Eric Rosales

by Eric Rosales in NFL Football

Updated Mar 25, 2020 · 1:05 PM PDT

Antonio Brown and Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers
Could Antonio Brown be moved out of Pittsburgh? Photo by Keith Allison (Flickr).
  • Steelers need help to find way into the postseason
  • Ravens can end Steelers playoff push with win over Browns
  • Is it worth betting on Pittsburgh’s longer odds?

Perhaps it’s only fitting that the AFC North is keeping things in-house as the Ravens and Steelers fight for a playoff berth in the final week of the NFL regular season.

Among the myriad of playoff scenarios that are up for grabs in Week 17, this one for the AFC North crown and lone postseason spot is pretty straightforward: Baltimore needs to beat the Browns and they’re in.

The Steelers, meanwhile, need to beat the Bengals, then have the Browns upend the Ravens and they get in.

It’s a family affair. Let’s look at how you should wager on this one.

Baltimore Ravens Playoff Odds

Will the Ravens Make the Playoffs? Odds
Yes -270
No +180

*All odds taken 12/27

Look, the Ravens are business, full stop. They boast the NFL’s best defense, and that side of the ball alone keeps them in games. Baltimore’s D unleashed some fury in a demolition of the high-powered Chargers in Week 16.

Helping out that side of the ball has been the wrinkle of inserting Lamar Jackson in as starting QB. He’s 4-1 in five games, and their offense is literally a knuckleball pitcher in a world of flame throwers.

The run-heavy offense is so dominant you forget that Jackson is able to chuck it some too. Play action is a real weapon, and Jackson is figuring things out on the fly.

Pittsburgh Steelers Playoff Odds

Will the Steelers Make the Playoffs? Odds
Yes +180
No -270

Meanwhile, the Steelers are reeling.

At one point, they were sitting at 7-2-1 and in complete control of their own destiny. But they’ve gotten into a pretty meaty part of their schedule, and they’ve dropped four of five.

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That included a loss to the lowly Raiders, a team chasing a high draft pick.

There’s no way it should have been that close. It ended in disaster.

After squeezing by New England for a much-needed win, they were in tough against the Saints in Week 16. A late game turnover left Pittsburgh’s playoff hopes dangling by a thread.

With a game left, the Steelers should hold up their end of the bargain though against the reeling Bengals, who have lost six of their last seven. Leaving all eyes on Baltimore.

What’s the Best Bet to Make?

I know this sounds crazy, but who would have imagined that the Cleveland Browns have the hammer, in the biggest high-stakes game the franchise has played in years?

And yet, here’s where we are.

They have already beaten the Ravens once this year, a 12-9 ugly fest in rookie QB Baker Mayfield’s first career start. He went for 342 yards and a TD strike, despite being sacked five times.

And that was still under the tutelage of head coach Hue Jackson, who’s since been fired.

They’ve rolled to a 5-2 record in his absence, with Mayfield unleashing a brand of football that people in Cleveland are truly excited about.

It’s what makes this wager so intriguing. Browns-Ravens is going to be a dandy, with rookie QBs growing before our eyes, each backed by a formidable defense.

It won’t be easy, but if you believe in Mayfield like I do, then the Steelers’ long odds to make the playoffs is your bet.

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