The Baltimore Ravens have a clear path to the postseason heading into their Week 18 matchup against the Cleveland Browns. At 11-5, Baltimore controls its own destiny: a win on Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium secures their second consecutive AFC North title and locks them in as the AFC’s third seed.
It’s a high-stakes showdown that allows the Ravens to solidify their playoff position before other games even kick off.
But as favorable as it sounds, the NFL’s scheduling hasn’t exactly done the Ravens any favors. By placing their game early on Saturday, Baltimore must play without knowing the result of the Pittsburgh Steelers-Cincinnati Bengals matchup later that evening. For the Ravens, there’s no safety net—the division is theirs with a win, but a loss opens the door for Pittsburgh to swipe the title with a victory over Cincinnati.
The Browns, sitting at 3-13, have nothing but pride to play for, but they won’t make things easy for Baltimore. Cleveland’s defense, led by All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett, poses a formidable challenge, especially with Garrett eyeing an exclamation point to cap off another impressive season. For the Ravens, the mission is simple: stay focused, execute, and avoid any slip-ups against a rival eager to play spoiler.
Baltimore Ravens control their own destiny with Week 18 win over Browns
A win against Cleveland not only secures the AFC North crown but also ensures the Ravens host a playoff game as the third seed. While potential matchups in the Wild Card Round could still include a rematch with the Los Angeles Chargers, a home playoff game is an invaluable advantage—especially given Baltimore’s strong 5-2 record at M&T Bank Stadium this season.
Lose, however, and things get murky. Should the Steelers win their primetime game against the Bengals, they would leapfrog Baltimore for the division title, relegating the Ravens to the fifth seed as a wild-card team. That would send Baltimore on the road for a matchup against the Houston Texans, a team they easily dismantled 31-2 on Christmas Day. While that path might seem favorable on paper, it’s not one the Ravens want to bank on.
The Ravens enter Week 18 firing on all cylinders. Lamar Jackson, with 39 passing touchdowns and over 800 rushing yards, has spearheaded one of the league’s most explosive offenses.
Behind him, Derrick Henry has revitalized the run game, while Baltimore’s defense, led by the Kyles—Hamilton and Van Noy— continues to stifle opponents. It’s a unit that can carry this team deep into January—but first, they need to handle business on Saturday.
Myles Garrett will be a key focus for Baltimore’s offensive line, which needs to provide Jackson with time to operate. Conversely, containing whoever is quarterbacking for the Browns will be crucial to making them one-dimensional—playing directly into the Ravens' strength with their elite run defense.
The stakes are as high as they come for Week 18, but the Ravens are no strangers to pressure.
With a chance to clinch the division and enter the postseason on a high note, Baltimore’s focus is clear: secure the AFC North, solidify their seeding, and set the tone for a deep playoff run. For a team with championship aspirations, Saturday is just the beginning.