Baltimore Ravens Control Their Playoff Destiny With AFC North, Wild-Card Spot In Play

The Baltimore Ravens control their own playoff destiny in Week 16. Unlike teams like the Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins that are contending for one of the remaining AFC postseason berths, Baltimore doesn’t need any help if they win their next two games.

Baltimore is the AFC’s No.6 seed with two games left on the regular-season schedule. They share the same record as the Titans and Colts but own the tiebreaker over both because of a better conference record.

Winning the AFC North is still a possibility for the Ravens. They are a half-game behind the Pittsburgh Steelers, who will visit the New Orleans Saints Sunday. Pittsburgh concludes the season at home against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Pittsburgh can clinch the division title if they upset the Saints and Baltimore loses on the road to the Los Angeles Chargers. The Ravens could find themselves in some trouble if they are unable to win Saturday night.

The Titans and Colts are both heavy favorites in Week 16. Tennessee will host the Washington Redskins and Indianapolis will play the New York Giants at home. One of the two contenders is guaranteed to win in Week 17 since they’ll be facing off in Tennessee.

Miami is a game behind the top three contenders for the second AFC wild-card spot. If they end up tied with Baltimore, they’ll have the better conference record and own the tiebreaker.

If the Ravens can win Saturday, they’ll be able to clinch a playoff berth in Week 17 with a win over the Cleveland Browns.

Lamar Jackson is 4-1 as Baltimore’s starting quarterback. The Ravens lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime in his only start against a playoff team.