How Steelers could be AFC's No. 1 seed following Week 11

It's hard to believe the Steelers are 6-3 and in second place in the AFC North heading into Week 11 after being outgained in each of their first nine games. It's even more astounding that there is a chance Pittsburgh is the No. 1 seed in the conference after this week.

It's a bit of a long shot but there's certainly a chance that it happens, and it starts with "Thursday Night Football" when the Bengals (5-4) face the Ravens (7-3).

Baltimore is currently the No. 2 seed in the AFC and is atop the AFC North. If Cincinnati gets the upset, the Steelers at least have a chance to take the division lead by the end of the week.

There are then two scenarios that must play out during the one o'clock window on Sunday.

First is, of course, Pittsburgh defeating the Browns (6-3). This game will likely be a close, defensive battle but with QB Deshaun Watson out for the season with a shoulder injury and rookie QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson in line to start, the Steelers have no excuses if they lose.

Pittsburgh would then need the Jaguars (6-3) to lose to the Titans (3-6) at home. This is probably the most unlikely part of the puzzle to play out. However, anything can happen in a divisional game.

If all of those scenarios play out, the Steelers' hopes of holding the AFC's top seed following the week will come down to "Monday Night Football" when the Chiefs (7-2) host the Eagles (8-1) in a rematch of Super Bowl LVII.

Pittsburgh would need Philadelphia to get its revenge against Kansas City to unseat it as the AFC's leader. If the Eagles do, the Steelers will be atop the AFC 11 weeks into the season. Right where everyone thought they'd be, right?