Dec 14th 2008 5:40PM by JJ Cooper (author feed)
Filed under: Steelers, Titans, AFC North, AFC South, NFL PlayoffsThere are a lot of things to digest from the Texans’ shocking 13-12 win over the Titans, but one of the more surprising aspects is that as the Steelers start their game against the Ravens, they control their own destiny for home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Thanks to the Titans’ loss and the fact that Tennessee plays Pittsburgh next week, if Pittsburgh can beat Baltimore today, next week’s game will be for the AFC No. 1 seed. If Tennessee wins, they would clinch the No. 1 seed, while Pittsburgh couldn’t clinch home field next week, but it could wrap up the No. 1 seed by beating the Titans and the Browns, or a win over the Titans and a Titans loss in Week 17.

There is some question of how much advantage that is for Pittsburgh. Since 1994, Pittsburgh is 1-4 in AFC Championship games at home. They are 1-0 on the road.

Of course all of that is dependent on the Steelers beating Baltimore on the road today, which is a tall enough order.