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Baltimore Ravens playoff chances: Rooting guide for the Flock

By Chris Schisler

Nov 8, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Baltimore Ravens defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) hits Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) in the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Baltimore Ravens defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) hits Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) in the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Baltimore Ravens
CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 14: Marquise Brown #15 of the Baltimore Ravens runs after a catch against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 14, 2020, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

What do the Baltimore Ravens need to happen for a playoff berth? Here you go:

The good news for Baltimore Ravens fans is that an 11-5 season is more than possible. The purple and black have a battle with the New York Giants next week and finish the season against a Burrow free Cincinnati Bengals. Basically, the Ravens have no excuse to not finish 11-5.

The bad news for the Ravens is that they need help for the playoff spot to go their way. That’s right, the year they added an extra playoff spot an 11-5 record may not be enough for a playoff spot. 2020 man, jeesh 2020 man. So what does Baltimore need to root for?

The teams of interest are the Miami Dolphins, the all too familiar Cleveland Browns, and the Indianapolis Colts. If any of these teams lose and the Ravens take care of business, Baltimore is in.

The Browns currently sit at 10-4. If they win out they should be fine with a 12-4 record. The Browns are still alive for the AFC North title because of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ frustrating month of football. If the Browns lose one game, they could find themselves out of the playoffs. This scenario is of great interest to John Harbaugh’s squad. The Ravens swept the Browns but the second contest was as tough to win as it gets.

The Colts lost to the Ravens (on my birthday, too). That helps the Ravens. It’s the same case for the Ravens with the Indianapolis. The Colts have 10 wins and they desperately want to get to that 12-4 mark.

The Dolphins have the same record as the Ravens. They have the tiebreakers at the moment though, so Baltimore is sitting at the cold and lonely eighth spot. If the Dolphins and Ravens are both 11-5 and the Ravens don’t get help elsewhere, Tua Tagovailoa will be much happier than Lamar Jackson.

Let’s look at the schedules for the three teams of interest.

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