If the N.F.L. season ended today — as the television announcers often say — the Steelers would not make the playoffs. They’re in the No. 7 position in the A.F.C., and only six teams make the playoffs. To add to its troubles, Pittsburgh has to play the 10-3 Denver Broncos this weekend.
But the Steelers’ situation is significantly stronger than most football broadcasters have suggested.
To understand why, it helps to use our playoff simulator. It allows you to choose the outcomes of any remaining games and see how those outcomes affect a team’s playoff chances.