We’re not even past Thanksgiving, and yet the Steelers can secure a playoff berth this weekend. After missing the playoffs the past two seasons, that would definitely qualify as an early Christmas present for the Steelers.
The Steelers can clinch a berth if they beat the Ravens on Thanksgiving night and if the Dolphins and Raiders both lose on Sunday.
If the Steelers do it, they’ll become only the 10th team since 1978 to accomplish the feat on the weekend of their 11th game. According to pro football researcher Ivan Urena, only nine teams since ’78 have clinched a playoff berth that early. The 1990 New York Giants, the 1991 Washington club, the 1998 Broncos and the 1998 Vikings all earned berths with five weeks to play.
The 1985 Bears, the 1997 49ers, the 2004 Eagles, the 2007 Patriots and the 2009 Saints all clinched their division with five weeks to play.
The Steelers cannot clinch the AFC North this weekend because the Browns only have three losses.
How likely is it that the Steelers will join those other teams? Well, not all that likely, it turns out.
In addition to the Steelers having to beat the Ravens, the Jets would have to pick up their first win of the season against the Dolphins in New York, and the Falcons would have to beat the Raiders in Atlanta.
Hey, it is 2020. Anything can happen.
Ray Fittipaldo: rfittipaldo@post-gazette.com and Twitter @rayfitt1.
First Published: November 23, 2020, 4:37 p.m.