How Steelers could still make the playoffs with Kenny Pickett returning, explained

With Kenny Pickett returning to start at quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team still has paths to the playoff, albeit complicated ones.

The Pittsburgh Steelers entered their Week 9 bye with a 2-6 record, and were seemingly on their way out of the playoff picture. Since returning, they won four of their next six games, including in Week 15 over the Carolina Panthers.

Back in Week 14, the Steelers were without starting quarterback Kenny Pickett due to a concussion suffered early on in their game against the Baltimore Ravens. That forced him to miss the aforementioned Panthers game. But this weekend, the team cleared Pickett to return, and he’s expected to start against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Sitting at 6-8, the Steelers are still in playoff contention. Yes, you read that right. They can make the playoffs, but they need multiple things to happen for that to become a reality.

How the Steelers can make the playoffs, explained

According to FiveThirtyEight, Pittsburgh has a 0.4 percent chance of making the playoffs prior to Thursday Night Football. The Steelers need to win their three remaining games against the Raiders, Ravens, and Cleveland Browns. But, that will only increase their odds to 5.0 percent.

They need multiple, and we mean multiple, things to happen to sneak into the postseason.

One Reddit user detailed scenarios in which the Steelers can make the playoffs. You can test it out in the FiveThirtyEight link above, and they will result in Pittsburgh clinching a Wild Card berth. Important to note, the “If Patriots win @ CIN or @ BUF” and “If Patriots lose @ CIN and @BUF” sections in the tweet below are linked to the “Chargers and Dolphins lose out” scenario.

So, as you can see, the Steelers will need either the Chargers or Dolphins (or both) to lose each of their remaining three games in addition to winning out to have somewhat of a chance. Then, they will need other results to happen (mostly involving the New York Jets, New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tennessee Titans) to be able to clinch a Wild Card berth.

Again, we recommend using the playoff simulator linked above and the scenarios listed in the tweet to see for yourselves. But remember, it’s all for naught if the Steelers lose one game in this final three-game stretch. If they do, they’re out of contention.