Week 18 AFC North predictions: Do Steelers sneak into the playoffs?

The Steelers are the only team in the AFC North whose playoff fate comes down to this weekend. The Ravens and Browns have already clinched while the Bengals were eliminated last week. Will Pittsburgh get in? Here are our predictions for Week 18.

Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) at Baltimore Ravens (13-3): The Steelers are deciding to stick with the hot hand of QB Mason Rudolph, naming him the starter for the third straight week. It feels like the right decision as the offense has averaged 32 points per game the past two weeks. Pittsburgh will need either the Jaguars (9-7) or Bills (10-6) to lose to make the playoffs. But the team must, first and foremost, focus on winning its game on Saturday against the AFC's No. 1 seed.

The Ravens have not decided whether they're going to play their starters. Although, it would be smart not to with a potential Super Bowl run ahead. 

"I have not made a decision on any personnel yet," head coach John Harbaugh said. "We've got to kind of work through the injury part of it first, and that will take us probably 24 to 48 hours to get a real handle on that. Then we'll make those decisions."

Baltimore may fear becoming rusty if it sits its starters on top of wanting to kick its division rival out of the playoffs. But health is the most important thing this time of year and it would be surprising if the Ravens didn't rest their starters, especially with their injury history.

PREDICTION: Steelers, 24-20

Cleveland Browns (11-5) at Cincinnati Bengals (8-8): The Browns find themselves in a similar situation as the Ravens this week. With the No. 5 seed locked up, will they sit their starters? The early indications point toward "yes." 

"My understanding is they would, in fact, look to rest starters for the playoffs if they have nothing to play for," NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said. "The Browns had 22 players on the injury report last week. They need a break."

Meanwhile, the Bengals will be playing for pride in their regular season finale after failing to make the playoffs for the first time since 2020. It has been a disappointing season since QB Joe Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist injury. But Browning, who has impressed, will look to add one more stamp to being Burrow's backup for years to come.

PREDICTION: Bengals, 21-17