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With the way that Jacksonville has been surging, last night might have been the most important win of the season.  
The 2017 Steelers are trailing only the 1975 and 2004 teams and tied with the 1978 and 2001 teams through 13 games. The 4 best regular seasons in franchise history.
It would have shattered the team to lose the bye week with a loss to the Ravens and the difficult match-up vs. the Patriots looming.
But this team continues it's progression -- and personally, I'm impressed with their resolve. They may not be dominating teams, but they don't succumb to pressure.
It marked this groups 4th straight playoff appearance and 3rd Division Championship. They've advanced each year:
Getting that bye week is crucial -- even if it is the #2 seed. In fact, in some years the #2 seed is the more preferable seed based on how the WC round plays out -- it's impossible to know now, but often works out that way.
For what its worth, historically the Steelers with #1 or #2 seed
#1 Seed -
#2 Seed: 11-3 playoff record, 2-1 in Super Bowls
				
			- It secured the AFC North and maintained the advantage for the bye week.
 
The 2017 Steelers are trailing only the 1975 and 2004 teams and tied with the 1978 and 2001 teams through 13 games. The 4 best regular seasons in franchise history.
It would have shattered the team to lose the bye week with a loss to the Ravens and the difficult match-up vs. the Patriots looming.
But this team continues it's progression -- and personally, I'm impressed with their resolve. They may not be dominating teams, but they don't succumb to pressure.
It marked this groups 4th straight playoff appearance and 3rd Division Championship. They've advanced each year:
- 2014 - 1st AFC North Championship
 - 2015 - 1st Playoff win (on road); were a fumble away from beating Denver and advancing to AFC Championship (with Bell, Brown, Ben hurt)
 - 2016 - 2nd AFC North Championship, won WC, won Divisional on road - Advanced to AFC Championship
 - 2017 - ?
 
Getting that bye week is crucial -- even if it is the #2 seed. In fact, in some years the #2 seed is the more preferable seed based on how the WC round plays out -- it's impossible to know now, but often works out that way.
For what its worth, historically the Steelers with #1 or #2 seed
#1 Seed -
- 9-4 playoff record, 2-0 in Super Bowls
 - 1975 - Won Super Bowl
 - 1978 - Won Super Bowl
 - 1992 - Lost Divisional
 - 1994 - Lost AFC Championship
 - 2001 - Lost AFC Championship
 - 2004 - Lost AFC Championship
 
#2 Seed: 11-3 playoff record, 2-1 in Super Bowls
- 1979 - Won Super Bowl (3-0)
 - 1995 - Lost Super Bowl (2-1)
 - 1997 - Lost AFC Championship (1-1)
 - 2008 - Won Super Bowl (3-0)
 - 2010 - Lost Super Bowl (2-1)