For a second, the Ravens managed their very own future. But after watching a 10-point lead evaporate in Sunday evening’s 16-13 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore’s playoff image stays unclear.
The Ravens have a 17% likelihood of incomes the No. 3 seed within the AFC, an 8% likelihood of incomes the No. 5 seed and a 75% likelihood of incomes the No. 6 seed, in line with the New York Times’ postseason projections.
Here are a number of playoff eventualities to observe because the regular-season finale approaches.
Path to No. 3 seed
What they want: Running again J.Okay. Dobbins stated that the Ravens will probably be non permanent Buffalo Bills followers, and rightfully so. If the Bills defeat the Bengals on Monday evening, the Ravens will journey to Cincinnati on Sunday for a winner-take-all matchup for the AFC North title and the No. 3 seed.
“We’re rooting for the Bills for sure,” Dobbins stated. “We controlled our destiny, though. I’m a guy that likes to control his own destiny by putting in the work and controlling what we need to control. But we’ll be Bills fans and hopefully next week, we’ll be playing for an AFC North title.”
Most doubtless opponents: The Ravens will play both the Bengals or the Chargers in the event that they end third within the AFC. If the Denver Broncos defeat or tie with the Chargers on Sunday, Los Angeles will stay the No. 6 seed and journey to Baltimore to face the Ravens in a wild-card recreation.
The Chargers have gained 4 straight video games, together with a 31-10 win over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 17. Quarterback Justin Herbert has been remarkably environment friendly throughout the streak, whereas the Chargers protection has held opponents to lower than 20 factors.
If the Chargers beat the Broncos, the Ravens will tackle Cincinnati within the wild-card spherical.
Path to No. 5 seed
What they want: First, the Bengals must beat the Bills and win the division. The Ravens would then should beat Cincinnati within the regular-season finale whereas the Chargers lose to the Broncos.
Most doubtless opponents: If the Ravens end the common season because the No. 5 seed, they may play both the Jacksonville Jaguars or the Tennessee Titans on the street. The Jaguars, who defeated the Ravens in Week 12, at the moment maintain the No. 4 seed and sit in first place within the AFC South. If Jacksonville loses to the Titans on Saturday, Tennessee will win the division.
The Ravens have performed the Titans in every of their final two postseason appearances. After the Ravens suffered a surprising loss to Tennessee within the divisional spherical after the 2019 season, Baltimore acquired its revenge the next yr, beating the Titans on the street within the wild-card spherical.
Path to No. 6 seed
What they want: The Ravens can take the No. 6 seed if the Bengals win their subsequent two video games. If Cincinnati defeats Buffalo however loses to Baltimore, the Ravens would want a Chargers victory over the Broncos to take the sixth spot.
Most doubtless opponents: If the Bills lose to the Bengals and the New England Patriots, Baltimore will play Buffalo within the wild-card spherical. The Ravens might probably play Kansas City if the Chiefs fall to the Las Vegas Raiders, the Bills beat the Patriots and the Bengals win their subsequent two video games.
The Bengals, nevertheless, look like the most certainly opponent if the Ravens are the No. 6 seed. If Cincinnati loses to the Bills however defeats the Ravens, the Bengals would be the No. 3 seed.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com