The Ravens are still in the thick of things.
So far this season there have been no clear-cut dominant teams like years past. Sure, the Steelers, Chiefs, and Patriots are all at the top of their divisions in the AFC with 5-2 records, but all three have struggled mightily in some games so far. The Ravens are right in the thick of things for a wild-card spot. 9-7 could honestly be good enough to make the playoffs this year. I think the chances of winning the AFC North are gone, however. The Ravens must start stacking wins against weaker teams, such as the Aaron Rodgers-less Packers, Browns, Colts, and Miami Dolphins this Thursday night.
Next: Ravens vs. Vikings: 3 things that drove us crazy in this game
The NFL is weird. Teams can catch fire out of nowhere. The Ravens will have to gel and catch fire quickly if they want a shot at the playoffs, otherwise, we may be looking at some serious organizational changes after this year. Getting players back healthy and gaining some confidence and an identity will be huge for this team. In the end, the Ravens have a realistic shot at the playoffs, but things must come together quickly for that to become a reality.