After a devastating loss to the New England Patriots last Sunday night, the Baltimore Ravens' playoff chances became incredibly slim. Per ESPN analytics, the Ravens have just a six percent chance of making the playoffs.
Now, the Ravens' path to the playoffs is fairly straightforward. They need to win their final two games, and the Pittsburgh Steelers need to lose their final two games. Since the Ravens and Steelers play each other in Week 18, this doesn't seem all that far-fetched. The problem is that the Steelers are playing the Cleveland Browns. Meaning, unless the 3-12 Browns beat the 9-8 Steelers on Sunday, the Ravens' playoff hopes will be over.
Frankly, the Browns pulling off an upset feels like a massive long shot even with wideout DK Metcalf suspended. ESPN analytics gives the Browns a 27.4 percent chance to win, but that even seems rich.
The Ravens play the 9-5-1 Green Bay Packers on Saturday night. This game was already challenging enough, but Lamar Jackson (listed as doubtful) means backup quarterback Tyler Huntley is in line to start. Sure, backup QB Malik Willis is starting for Green Bay, but. the Packers have been better all season, and Willis is a high-level backup.
Baltimore winning this game and Cleveland winning their game on Sunday seems highly unlikely.
The Ravens making the playoffs isn't something that you should count on
In the end, all things would have to go right for the Ravens to reach the playoffs, and it simply doesn't seem like a realistic possibility at this point. Even though it will be a tough matchup, fans have more faith that the Ravens can win on Saturday than the Browns on Sunday. Whatever way you slice it, the Ravens will need a miracle to win the division and thus make the playoffs.
To say this is a frustrating outcome for the Ravens is a massive understatement. The team had Super Bowl aspirations heading into the season, and despite dealing with injuries, there are plenty of moments that make you wonder what-if.
These "what-ifs" include two blown double-digit fourth quarter leads, failing to utilize Derrick Henry against a historically bad Cincinnati Bengals' run defense, a sloppy game, and a controversial call against the Steelers. The reality, of course, is that these games didn't go in the Ravens' favor, and it derailed their season.
It would be a shocker if serious changes aren't made in Baltimore this offseason, and fans believe it should start with the coaching staff. John Harbaugh is a good coach, but he's run his course in Baltimore.
While stranger things have happened, it would take something truly shocking for the Browns to pull off an upset and for the Ravens to win out.