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Turnover-prone QB and aging RB highlight players who can propel Steelers into playoffs
Josh Allen Jamie Germano / USA TODAY NETWORK

Turnover-prone QB and aging RB highlight players who can propel Steelers into playoffs

The Steelers (9-7) need one of five scenarios to play out in Week 18 for them to clinch a postseason berth. Several players will play a large role, but here are three that could have the biggest impact on determining Pittsburgh's playoff hopes.

Steelers LB T.J. Watt

First and foremost, the Steelers must take care of their own business and that's defeating the Ravens (13-3) on Saturday. Luckily for Pittsburgh, Baltimore already has the No. 1 seed in the AFC locked up and it will be resting some of its starters, including MVP-favorite QB Lamar Jackson.

Head coach John Harbaugh announced that Tyler Huntley will start at quarterback in Week 18, setting up Watt to put a stamp on his Defensive Player of the Year campaign. If Watt makes Huntley uncomfortable early and often, it may just be enough for the Steelers to get the win and for him to win his second DPOY.

Bills QB Josh Allen

One of the more likely scenarios that could send the Steelers into the postseason is the Dolphins (11-5) defeating the Bills (10-6) on "Sunday Night Football." Buffalo won 48-20 in its first meeting of the season with Miami in Week 4. But Allen's play has been up and down all season.

The six-year quarterback has thrown the second most interceptions (16) in the NFL this season. The Bills have been hot as of late, winning their last four straight games. But all it would take is for Allen to have another multi-turnover game to send Pittsburgh into the playoffs.

Titans RB Derrick Henry

The other scenario that could play out on Sunday is the Titans (5-11) upsetting or tying the Jaguars (9-7). Jacksonville won its first matchup 34-14 against Tennessee earlier this season as well, but the Titans will likely do their best to get Henry more involved this time around.

The 30-year-old ran for just 38 yards on 10 attempts in Week 11. He is surely looking to prove he still has gas left in the tank as his eighth season in the NFL comes to a close. Plus, head coach Mike Vrabel seems to have his team as fired up as ever ahead of its season finale at home.

"It sucks to lose," Vrabel said. "Losing. Awful. That's why I want to win because you don't sleep. You want to win for the players that bust their tail. That's it."

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