EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was well aware the team’s playoff hopes took a hit when they lost to the New York Jets, 16-10, on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

Tomlin was ready to hit the mute button after the Steelers (8-7) slipped behind the Tennessee Titans (8-7) from the sixth spot to seventh in AFC playoff seeding because it was a conference loss. Both teams are 6-5 in conference, so the Steelers need not only a win at Baltimore but for the Titans to lose to clinch a wild-card berth.

“Not a lot to say, and appropriately so,” Tomlin said. “It’s just the time of year it is. It’s put-up-or-shut-up time, and we didn’t get the job done. We accept responsibility for the fact and the ramifications of it. It’s just unfortunate.”

For the second consecutive season, the Steelers head into the final week needing a victory and some assistance. They play Sunday at the AFC North champion Ravens (13-2), who clinched the top seed in the AFC playoffs. The Titans play at the AFC South champion Houston Texans (10-5).

Both the top-seeded Ravens and No. 4 Texans could choose to rest starters in Week 17, given they have clinched playoff berths and division titles. The Texans own a tiebreaker over the Kansas City Chiefs, however, and could move into the third seed with the combination of a victory and a Chiefs loss.

Last year, the Steelers beat the Cincinnati Bengals in the finale but were forced to cheer on the Cleveland Browns against the Ravens while watching on the Jumbotron at Heinz Field in hopes of clinching a wild-card berth. The Ravens beat the Browns to keep the Steelers out of the AFC playoffs.

“I don’t worry about all of those things cumulatively compared to other years,” Tomlin said. “This is this group, this journey and where we are right now.”

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