SAD NEWS:After the Titans defeat the Jaguars, the Steelers will return to the postseason.

Pittsburgh (AP) — Despite being deemed unsalvageable in the middle of December, the Pittsburgh Steelers are returning to the postseason.

Tennessee’s victory against Jacksonville on Sunday secured Pittsburgh’s wild-card status. The Steelers (10-7) had lost three straight games, including to New England and lowly Arizona, and it seemed impossible that they would make the playoffs.

After being blasted out against Indianapolis on December 16, coach Mike Tomlin benched third-string quarterback Mason Rudolph, and on Saturday, Rudolph helped Pittsburgh win three straight games over Cincinnati, Seattle, and AFC North champion Baltimore.

The outcome of Buffalo’s game against Miami on Sunday night will determine the Steelers’ AFC seed, which could be as high as sixth or seventh. Next Sunday, a win by the Dolphins would send Pittsburgh to Kansas City, while a win by the Bills would bring the Steelers to Buffalo. The Dolphins will host if Miami and Buffalo are tied.

Since defeating Kansas City in the divisional round of the 2016 playoffs, Pittsburgh has not won a postseason game. With decisive losses to New England in the 2016 AFC Championship, Jacksonville in the 2017 division round, Cleveland in the 2020 first round, and Kansas City in the 2021 first round, the Steelers have now dropped their previous four postseason games.

With great outside linebacker T.J. Watt out of the picture, Pittsburgh will have to move on. The two-time All-Pro and Defensive Player of the Year contender missed the game against Baltimore due to a knee injury that is predicted to keep him out of action for an extended period of time.