The Pittsburgh Steelers have gained significant ground in the AFC playoff race without even stepping onto the field for their Week 7 matchup. Following the conclusion of Thursday night’s contest between the Chicago Bears and the New England Patriots, the conference standings underwent a notable shift that favored the Steelers.
Entering the week as the No. 7 seed—the final wildcard spot in the current postseason format—Pittsburgh moved up one position to the No. 6 seed. This jump comes courtesy of the Chicago Bears’ 30-21 victory over the Patriots. New England, which had occupied the No. 5 seed prior to the game, plummeted out of the current playoff picture entirely, dropping to the No. 9 spot in the conference standings.
The ripple effects of the Patriots’ loss have rearranged the middle of the AFC pack. The Denver Broncos have ascended to the No. 5 seed, while the Steelers now occupy the sixth slot. The Baltimore Ravens have also moved up, currently holding the No. 7 seed as the NFL heads into the full Sunday slate of games.
The Steelers are preparing for a unique logistical challenge as they set their sights on the remainder of Week 7. They are scheduled to kick off Sunday’s action against the New Orleans Saints in Paris, France. The game is slated for a 9:30 AM EST start, marking a high-profile international showcase for both franchises.
The path for further advancement is clear for Pittsburgh this weekend. If the Steelers secure a victory over the Saints and the Cleveland Browns lose their upcoming game against the Tennessee Titans, the Steelers could climb as high as the No. 3 seed in the conference. This scenario is made possible because the Jacksonville Jaguars, currently 4-2, are on their bye week and will remain idle, keeping them at their current position.
As the AFC playoff race begins to tighten, these mid-season shifts carry significant weight for teams vying for postseason positioning. While the season remains in its middle stages, the Steelers’ climb into a more secure wildcard position provides a psychological and mathematical boost heading into their international road trip.
