For a second, the Ravens managed their very own future. But after watching a 10-point lead evaporate in Sunday night time’s 16-13 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Bengals-Bills recreation postponed Monday night time, Baltimore’s playoff image stays unclear.
The Ravens have an 18% probability of incomes the No. 3 seed within the AFC, a 9% probability of incomes the No. 5 seed and a 76% probability of incomes the No. 6 seed, in accordance with the most recent New York Times’ postseason projections on Tuesday.
Here are a number of playoff situations to look at because the regular-season finale approaches.
Path to No. 3 seed
What they want: The Ravens wanted the Buffalo Bills to defeat the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday in an effort to play in a winner-take-all matchup for the AFC North title on Sunday afternoon. The recreation, nevertheless, was suspended within the first quarter after Bills security Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest and is at the moment in crucial situation.
The NFL introduced Tuesday that the sport won’t be resumed this week and the Week 18 schedule stays unchanged. That means if the Ravens defeat Cincinnati, the Bengals will stay in first place within the division — in the intervening time. Baltimore will nonetheless want the Bills to beat Cincinnati if and when that recreation occurs to win the division.
Most possible 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 received 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 in the course of 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: If the Ravens beat the Bengals and the Chargers lose this weekend, Baltimore will take the fifth spot within the AFC. If the Bengals-Bills recreation takes place on one other date, Cincinnati might want to win to lock up the division, and the Ravens would earn the No. 5 seed.
Most possible 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 stunning loss to Tennessee within the divisional spherical after the 2019 season, Baltimore obtained 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 would be the No. 6 seed in the event that they lose to the Bengals or the Chargers beat the Broncos and the Bengals beat the Bills. If Los Angeles and Baltimore win, the Ravens should watch carefully at how the league handles the Bengals-Bills recreation.
Most possible opponents: At the second, the Bengals appear to be the more than likely opponent if the Ravens are the No. 6 seed. If Cincinnati beats Baltimore and Buffalo and the Bills then lose to the New England Patriots, the Ravens will face the Bills within the wild-card spherical.
The Ravens might additionally doubtlessly play Kansas City. The Chiefs would fall to the No. 3 seed in the event that they lose to the Las Vegas Raiders, the Bills beat the Patriots and the Bengals beat Baltimore and Buffalo of their ultimate two video games.
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com
