All the Steelers had to do was win their last two games against the Ravens and Browns, two teams that have combined to go 7-21. So naturally, Baltimore beat Pittsburgh in every phase on Sunday, including the scoreboard.
Making matters worse for the Steelers, who entered the day as the No. 6 seed in the AFC: the team right behind them in the playoff chase, the Jets, defeated the Patriots in overtime (it was weird, wild afternoon in the Meadowlands).
Which means that the Jets (10-5) swap positions with the Steelers (9-6) on a day when Pittsburgh could have clinched with a win and a New York loss. And now, the Steelers will need some help to get back in the postseason conversation.
Nightmare scenario for the Steelers. Started day with 93% chance of making playoffs, now down to 45%. https://t.co/MsZQtSEVxm
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) December 27, 2015
Specifically: the Steelers need to beat the Browns next week and hope the Jets lose to the Bills (7-8). Or the Steelers need to beat the Browns and the Broncos (10-4) need to lose to the Bengals (11-3) on Monday night and to the Chargers (4-11) next Sunday.
Ben: "We controlled our own destiny, and we blew it today. We gave the ball away, and you can’t do that. I can’t do that."
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) December 27, 2015
Worth noting: Against the Ravens, Ben Roethlisberger looked like Kyle Boller while Baltimore starter Ryan Mallett looked the Big Ben we've seen over the last month. Roethlisberger threw two terrible interceptions -- and should have had a pick-six if not for a silly Ravens penalty -- and finished the day 24 of 34 for 215 yards and no touchdowns.
Put another way: Terrible time for Big Ben to implode and it could cost the Steelers a chance to play well into January.
