The Baltimore Ravens have established themselves as not only the best team in the AFC North division but the entire conference and, after Sunday’s games, maybe even the NFL.

What the Ravens haven’t done is clinch a playoff berth.

Not yet, anyway.

The AFC North has two of the hottest teams in the league in the Ravens, winners of a franchise-record eight consecutive games, and the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have won six of their past seven since a 26-23 loss to the Ravens on Oct. 6 at Heinz Field.

By beating the Cleveland Browns, the Steelers established themselves as the clear second-place team in the division and maintained their position for the sixth seed in the AFC playoffs. (The Steelers own the tiebreaker over the Tennessee Titans because of conference records, as the Steelers are 6-3 against the AFC and the Titans are 5-4).

The Ravens can clinch a playoff berth with a victory over the Buffalo Bills, which is no small feat. A Ravens win combined with a loss or tie by the Steelers would clinch the division title.

The loss to the Steelers reduced the Browns’ playoff chances to 4%, based on a New York Times simulator. The Browns need to win their remaining four games to have a shot at the postseason, and that’s not out of the realm of possibility. Cleveland sandwiches two games against the Cincinnati Bengals around the Arizona Cardinals and Ravens – and the Browns already own a 40-25 victory at Baltimore.

The Steelers still have games against the Cardinals, Bills, New York Jets and Ravens, and could qualify for the playoffs with a 9-7 record. But here’s a warning: If the Steelers and Browns both finish 9-7, it could come down to division record. The Browns’ best-case scenario would be 5-1, the Steelers’ 4-2.

That’s where this playoff scenario could get even juicier for their rivalry than Sunday’s game at Heinz Field.

The season finale will see the Browns play at Cincinnati and the Steelers at Baltimore. Last year, it was the Bengals at the Steelers and the Browns at the Ravens.

Imagine if it comes down to the final week, and the Browns are forced to cheer for the arch-nemesis Ravens to beat the Steelers in order to qualify the playoffs.

Shouldn’t we be so lucky?

PLAYOFF SCENARIOSHere's full week 14 AFC clinching and elimination scenarios.

We have playoff clinching scenarios for BAL, NE, BUF and KC including division title clinching scenarios for BAL and KC.

We also have playoff elimination scenarios for NYJ, JAX, DEN and LAC. pic.twitter.com/kvLbnISule

— Joe Ferreira (@JoeNFL) December 2, 2019

Baltimore Ravens

Result: Beat the San Francisco 49ers, 20-17.

Highlights: Despite losing a fumble in the rainy and windy conditions, Lamar Jackson completed 14 of 23 passes for 105 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 101 yards and another score on 16 carries. The Ravens are 12-0 when Jackson rushes for 70 yards or more and 16-3 overall with him as the starter. Justin Tucker kicked his 15th career game-winning field goal, converting a 49-yarder as time expired.

We gather here today to remember the life, and the play, of K'Wuan Williams. Laid to rest in an unfortunate accident by the merciful Lamar Jackson.

We will remember you. #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/HEDjEJoWlm

— Nate Williamson (@NateJWSports) December 1, 2019

Lowlights: The Ravens allowed their first first-quarter touchdown since Oct. 13 and trailed in the second quarter for the first time since Oct. 20. Raheem Mostert rushed for a career-high 146 yards, including a 40-yard touchdown.

Next: The Ravens (10-2) visit the Buffalo Bills (9-3) on Sunday.

.@AndyDalton14 is now the @Bengals all-time leader in passing touchdowns!

?: #NYJvsCIN on CBS?: NFL app // Yahoo Sports appWatch free on mobile: https://t.co/uPnyeJSIAR pic.twitter.com/tFJOFC28pq

— NFL (@NFL) December 1, 2019

Cincinnati Bengals

Result: Beat the New York Jets, 22-6.

Highlights: After being benched for three games, Andy Dalton returned to end the longest losing streak in team history. He completed 22 of 37 passes for 243 yards, breaking Ken Anderson’s franchise records for most completions and most touchdowns (198) on a 17-yard pass to Tyler Boyd. Karlos Dunlap had three of the Bengals’ four sacks of Sam Darnold.

Lowlights: The announced attendance for the Bengals’ first win of the season was only 39,804, the smallest home crowd since the 1995 season finale against the Chicago Bears.

Next: The Bengals (1-11) visit the Cleveland Browns (5-7) on Sunday.

What most Browns fans are really feeling. #toughbeingaBrownsfanhttps://t.co/6fgYwG4PfZ

— Curt Williams (@CurtWilliams42) December 3, 2019

Cleveland Browns

Result: Lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 20-13.

Highlights: The Browns dominated time of possession in the first quarter (11:41 to 3:19). They jumped out to a 10-0 lead behind the running of Nick Chubb and the receiving of Kareem Hunt, who scored on a 15-yard touchdown pass to cap a 10-play, 70-yard scoring drive.

Lowlights: Baker Mayfield injured his right (throwing) hand when it hit the facemask of Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree, and wore a protective glove in the second half. Mayfield completed 8 of 15 passes for 98 yards after the injury, and was intercepted by former Browns star Joe Haden in the final minute to snap a three-game winning streak and put their playoff hopes in peril.

Next: The Browns (5-7) play host to the Cincinnati Bengals (1-11) on Sunday.

Baker Mayfield throws a pick to Joe Haden and ends the game. #Steelers get a huge win in this rivalry.

Switching to Duck Hodges at QB instead of Mason Rudolph did the trick. pic.twitter.com/4pXSMi66h1

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 1, 2019

Pittsburgh Steelers

Result: Beat the Cleveland Browns, 20-13.

Highlights: In his Heinz Field starting debut, Devlin Hodges completed 14 of 21 passes for 212 yards – including four of 28 yards or longer – with a touchdown and an interception. James Washington had four catches for 111 yards, including a 44-yarder and a 30-yard touchdown. Benny Snell added 63 rushing yards on 16 carries and scored his first NFL touchdown to give the Steelers the lead. The Steelers had five sacks, as Dupree had 1.5.

Unbelievable touchdown grab‼️@DevlinHodges10 ➡️ @JamesWashington pic.twitter.com/Q2lVfKzjl8

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 1, 2019

Lowlights: The Steelers were called for 10 penalties for 65 yards, including six false starts. Wide receiver Diontae Johnson drew a flag for unnecessary roughness and Dupree received a questionable roughing the passer penalty for a hit on Mayfield late in the fourth quarter.

Next: The Steelers (7-5) visit the Arizona Cardinals (3-8-1) on Sunday.

Hey, Steelers Nation, get the latest news about the Pittsburgh Steelers here.

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