Ravens could get some more fortune their way
The Ravens sit at the No. 2 seed in the AFC as the NFL enters Week 14. Here are the current standings and what will be best for Baltimore.
Current AFC playoff standings
- Miami Dolphins 9-3
- Baltimore Ravens 9-3
- Kansas City Chiefs 8-4
- Jacksonville Jaguars 8-4
- Cleveland Browns 7-5
- Indianapolis Colts 7-5
- Houston Texans 7-5
Most Important Games
Tennessee Titans (4-8) @ Miami Dolphins (9-3) — MNF — ESPN
Root for: Titans
Ravens need all the help they can get in pursuing the No. 1 seed in the AFC, and that starts with the current leader losing on Monday night. Though, it’s not expected to happen, seeing as the Dolphins are 13.5-point favorites to crush the Titans at home, where they’ve obliterated lesser opponents
Buffalo Bills (6-6) @ Kansas City Chiefs (8-4) — 4:25 p.m ET — CBS
Root for: Bills
This is a bit of a no-win situation. The Bills are arguably the worst team to let stumble into the playoffs and get hot, and if they make the No. 7 seed, they’re in line to face the Ravens in Round 1. So, if you’re wanting to root for the better wildcard-possible matchup, go Chiefs. But, from a purely pursuit of the No. 1 seed, the Ravens will need the Chiefs to lose one or two more.
Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4) @ Cleveland Browns (7-5)— 1 p.m. ET — CBS
Root for: Jaguars
This one is a bit of a toss-up, too. The Ravens want a better shot at winning the No. 1 seed, so the Jaguars losing is beneficial. However, if the Ravens take care of business against the Jaguars next week, it won’t be as important if they lose again, as they’ll need to outright beat them in record to surpass the Ravens for the top seed. However, the Browns are the only team left in the AFC North that appears to pose a threat, though they’re two games back. But, winning the North takes precedent, so root for the Jaguars here.
Other Games
Indianapolis Colts (7-5) @ Cincinnati Bengals (6-6) — 1 p.m. ET — CBS
Root for: Bengals
The more the Bengals win, the less likely they are to get a top pick. They’re practically done for the season without Burrow and don’t pose a threat to the Ravens in the AFC North. If they do, the Ravens have far worse problems.
Houston Texans (7-5) @ New York Jets (4-8) — 1 p.m. ET — CBS
Root for: Jets
Meh, this is another mediocre one that isn’t so important. However, the Jets winning helps cause more chaos than anything. But, if you want the Texans in over the Steelers or Browns, I suppose that’s worth rooting for.
AFC North Standings
If all breaks this way (and the Ravens win vs. LAR), here’s what the divisional standings look like.
- Ravens 10-3
- Browns 7-6
- Steelers 7-6
- Bengals 7-6
A three-game lead in the North with four games left to play would all but put a bow on the AFC North.
AFC Playoff Picture
If all results above were to happen
Division Leaders
- Ravens 10-3
- Jaguars (9-4) (Wins tie break over Miami based on best win percentage in conference games)
- Dolphins (9-4)
- Chiefs (8-5)
Wild Card
5. Steelers (7-6) (Wins tie break over Indianapolis based on best win percentage in common games. Wins tie break over Buffalo and Denver based on best win percentage in conference games. Division tie break was initially used to eliminate Cincinnati (Pittsburgh wins tie break over Cleveland based on best win percentage in division games wins tie break over Cincinnati based on head-to-head win percentage). Division tie break was initially used to eliminate Cleveland (Pittsburgh wins tie break over Cleveland based on best win percentage in division games wins tie break over Cincinnati based on head-to-head win percentage). Division tie break was initially used to eliminate Houston (Indianapolis wins tie break over Houston based on head-to-head win percentage).
6. Browns (7-6) (Wins tie break over Indianapolis based on head-to-head win percentage. Wins tie break over Buffalo and Denver based on best win percentage in conference games. Division tie break was initially used to eliminate Cincinnati (Cleveland wins tie break over Cincinnati based on head-to-head win percentage). Division tie break was initially used to eliminate Houston (Indianapolis wins tie break over Houston based on head-to-head win percentage).
7. Colts (7-6)