The Pittsburgh Steelers playoff hopes are very much alive after Week 16.

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers got some help in Week 16 as a weekend that kicked off with a win ended with some much-needed losses for teams sitting in front of the Steelers in the playoff race.

After being the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday, the Steelers moved to 8-7 on the season. Despite not getting the boost they needed from the Los Angeles Chargers during the night game, who fell to the Buffalo Bills, the Sunday slate gave Pittsburgh everything they asked for for Christmas (sorry, I had to).

With the Houston Texans falling to the Cleveland Browns, the Jacksonville Jaguars losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Atlanta Falcons beating the Indianapolis Colts, those in front of the Steelers in the AFC race will head into Week 17 with an 8-7 record – outside of Buffalo (9-6).

Adding the Denver Broncos’ fall to the New England Patriots, the Steelers now sit 9th in the AFC, behind just the Bills, Colts and Texans.

Currently, the Steelers have a 13% chance to make the playoffs, according to the New York Times simulator.

What they need to happen in these last two weeks is simple – they need to win and hope everyone in front of them loses.

The Colts and Texans will face off in Week 18, helping the cause for Pittsburgh. Indianapolis plays the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 17, and Houston plays the Tennessee Titans.

Pittsburgh’s final two games come on the road against the Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens.