The Baltimore Ravens crushed the Green Bay Packers 41-24 on Saturday to keep their playoff hopes alive. With an 8-8 record, they are second in the NFC North behind the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have a 9-6 record.
According to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats, the Ravens have a 21% chance of making the playoffs. Based on their current situation, here is the only scenario where they make the playoffs.
Ravens playoff scenarios
Before understanding the playoff scenarios for the Ravens, one must understand that the only way Lamar Jackson & Co. get into the playoffs is by overtaking the Steelers.
Steelers Must Lose Their Week 17 Game
The Ravens would hope that the Steelers lose their Week 17 game against the Cleveland Browns on the road. If that happens, the Steelers would drop to 9-7, and the Week 18 contest against the Ravens becomes a potential winner-takes-all AFC North bout. However, if Pittsburgh wins against the Steelers, the Ravens’ playoff hopes go down the toilet.
Win in Week 18 at the Pittsburgh Steelers
If Pittsburgh loses against the Browns, the Ravens will have their playoff hopes in their hands. Whoever wins the Week 18 matchup will win the AFC North and advance into the playoffs. If the Ravens win, they will have an identical record to the Steelers. Moreover, they would have split the head-to-head record this season, which means the divisional record will be taken into consideration, where Baltimore has an edge.
As such, if the above two conditions are met, the Ravens could enter the playoffs.
The Ravens did well despite the absence of Lamar Jackson in the big Week 17 win against the Packers. In his place, Tyler Huntley led the team to a big win. He completed 16 of 20 passes for 107 yards and one touchdown.
As for Jackson, the Ravens’ starting quarterback didn’t play because of a back contusion suffered in the Week 16 loss to the New England Patriots. Jackson hasn’t practiced this week and is nursing the injury. Head coach John Harbaugh shared an update on the injury.
“It’s not like a black and blue mark. These are deep-tissue contusions,” Harbaugh said. “I’m not a medical guy, but I did see the MRI. It’s legitimate, very painful. The muscles lock up around it, you can’t really move very well. He’s in the process now of loosening all that up. You can’t really say when it’s going to be right. He’s got to be able to play. He’s got to be able to be an athlete and go move.”
The Ravens will hope he’s available for the all-important Steelers clash.
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