Ravens win the bye following monumental losses in the AFC

The Baltimore Ravens didn’t lose any players due to finger injuries during the bye week, so they’re already trending upward.

In fact, the Ravens are set to see a number of formerly injured players return to the lineup as soon as Week 11. As one of the most injury-ravaged teams of 2021, it appears Baltimore is finally getting a bit of luck on its side and should enter the second half of its season with a rejuvenated squad.

What also helped the Ravens this past week was the results of two games featuring serious AFC playoff contenders. Week 10 delivered arguably the most exciting game of the season so far in the Buffalo Bills/Minnesota Vikings thriller, and Ravens fans should jump for joy after seeing Josh Allen go down in frustrating fashion to the Vikings.

Allen’s MVP odds should decrease as well after Allen threw two picks that game, including one on a potential game-winning play in overtime.

Ravens have more reason to be hopeful after the bye week

With a 6-3 record, the Bills sit third in the AFC East and currently hold the sixth seed in the playoff picture.

Another highly touted AFC team, the Los Angeles Chargers, fell to the San Francisco 49ers in primetime, which bodes well for the Ravens as well. LA currently is on the bubble if the season were to end today.

Yet the bye week wasn’t a total victory for Baltimore as two other AFC teams emerged victorious: the Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans.

One could argue, however, that the Dolphins beating the Browns was beneficial for the Ravens’ chances of running away with the AFC North while the Titans barely bested the mediocre Broncos.

All in all, if the season ended today, the Ravens would claim the fourth seed in the AFC below the Kansas City Chiefs, Dolphins, and Titans.

There’s still plenty of football left to be played, though Baltimore holds a key advantage given their relatively easy strength of schedule.