Ravens playoff picture: Scenarios, potential opponents

On By Littum

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The Baltimore Ravens made the AFC championship game behind NFL MVP Lamar Jackson in 2023. A year later, Baltimore is a contender again.

The Ravens are chasing their second straight AFC North title after another outstanding season from Jackson and the offense. Running back Derrick Henrya free agent signing in the offseason has added another dimension to a running game. Baltimore enters Week 17 as no. 3 offenses with points and no. 1 offense for yards in the NFL.

Despite the strong showing on offense, the Ravens are in a close battle for a division title. Loss to Kansas City, Las Vegasand Cleveland before November put the Ravens on the back foot going into the second half of the season.

Thanks to their win over Pittsburgh in Week 16Baltimore has clinched a playoff spot. Where they finish and who they face in the first round remains a mystery. Here’s what the Ravens’ postseason picture looks like:

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Ravens playoff odds

This is how Baltimore’s playoff odds look as of BetMGM:

  • Win AFC North: -175
  • Win AFC: +325
  • Win the Super Bowl: +750

The ravens are preferred Steelers to win the division, but behind Bills and chiefs (+200 each) to win the AFC title. They are fifth in Super Bowl odds after Lions (+400), Bills (+450), Chiefs (+450), and Eagles (+600).

AFC North standings

Here’s how the AFC North standings look in Week 17:

  1. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5)
  2. Baltimore Ravens (10-5)
  3. Cincinnati Bengals (7-8)
  4. Cleveland Browns (3-12)

Ravens remaining schedule

Baltimore has two games left, one on the road and one at home. Here’s how things look:

  • Week 17: at Houston (9-6) on Christmas
  • Week 18: vs. Cleveland (3-12)

Ravens potential playoff seeding

At 10-5 with two games remaining, the Ravens have many playoff opportunities. At the time of publication, they may end in no. 2 to no. 7 seeds. Here’s how they can end up in each place:

no. 2 seeds

  • Baltimore wins on the road (at Houston, vs. Cleveland), Buffalo loses on the road (vs. Jets, at Patriots), and Pittsburgh loses at least one game (at Chiefs, vs. Bengals).
    • Baltimore won a head-to-head matchup against the Bills in Week 4 and owns the tiebreaker.
    • Pittsburgh’s conference record is 7-3 entering Week 17 compared to Baltimore at 6-4, so they need to finish a game behind for the Ravens to win the division and secure the No. the 2 seed.

no. 3 seeds

  • Baltimore finishes at least one game ahead of Pittsburgh and is either tied or one game ahead of Houston.
    • A Christmas win over Houston would provide the tiebreaker in the event of a record tie.
    • If Baltimore loses on Christmas, the Ravens must finish one game ahead of Houston.

no. 4 seeds

  • Baltimore wins the AFC North but finishes a game behind or tied with Houston.
    • In this scenario with a tie for regular season record, Houston would win the head-to-head matchup and take the No. 3 seeds.

no. 5 seeds

  • Baltimore loses the AFC North to Pittsburgh, but finishes with a better or equal record than Los Angeles and Denver.
    • Baltimore owns the tiebreakers over Los Angeles and Denver due to head-to-head wins in Week 12 and Week 9, respectively.
    • If Denver and Los Angeles lose and miss the playoffs, Baltimore would finish with a better record than Indianapolis, Miami and Cincinnati, all of whom are in the hunt for the No. 6 at best.

no. 6 seeds

  • Baltimore loses, loses the AFC North title and finishes one game behind either Los Angeles or Denver.

no. 7 seeds

  • Baltimore loses and both Denver and Los Angeles win.

Ravens playoff scenarios

If the Ravens win the division and finish as one of the top four seeds, here are potential opponents they could face in the wild card round at home:

  • Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Los Angeles Chargers
  • Denver Broncos
  • Indianapolis Colts
  • Miami Dolphins
  • Cincinnati Bengals

If the Ravens don’t win the division and finish as the No. 5, no. 6 or no. 7, here’s who they could face in the wild card round on the road:

  • Buffalo Bills
  • Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Houston Texas

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NFL playoff picture week 17

AFC

  1. Kansas City Chiefs (14-1, AFC West winners)*
  2. Buffalo Bills (12-3, AFC East winners)*
  3. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5, AFC North leaders)*
  4. Houston Texas (9-6, AFC South winners)*
  5. Baltimore Ravens (10-5, Wild Card No. 1)*
  6. Los Angeles Chargers (9-6, wild card No. 2)
  7. Denver Broncos (9-6, wild card No. 3)

In the hunt: Indianapolis Colts (7-8), Miami Dolphins (7-8), Cincinnati Bengals (7-8).

NFC

  1. Detroit Lions (13-2, NFC North leaders)*
  2. Philadelphia Eagles (12-3, NFC East leaders)*
  3. Los Angeles Rams (9-6, NFC West leaders)
  4. Atlanta Falcons (8-7, NFC South leaders)
  5. Minnesota Vikings (13-2, wild card no. 1)*
  6. Green Bay Packers (11-4, wild card No. 2)
  7. Washington’s commanders (10-5, wild card No. 3)

In the hunt: Seattle Seahawks (8-7), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)

A star

denotes team that has earned a playoff berth. Teams that have won division titles are noted accordingly.