The Baltimore Ravens are sitting at 9-5 after dismantling the Giants 35-14 in Week 15, and the playoff picture is starting to come into focus. While Baltimore hasn’t clinched a spot just yet, their path to the postseason is clear. A win in Week 16, combined with a little help, could officially punch their ticket.
So, Ravens fans, here’s your Week 16 rooting guide. Get ready to cheer for Baltimore and root against a few key teams around the league.
Ravens playoff scenarios: Who to root for in Week 16
First and foremost, the simplest path is for the Ravens to take care of business against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday. A win or even a tie against their AFC North rivals locks up a playoff spot.
But there’s still a backup plan if things don’t go Baltimore’s way. Here’s what needs to happen:
- Miami Dolphins lose or tie vs. San Francisco 49ersThe Dolphins (6-8) are hanging on by a thread, but a loss against a tough 49ers squad would help secure Baltimore’s position. Miami is an underdog heading into this matchup, so Ravens fans should keep an eye on this one.
- Indianapolis Colts lose or tie vs. Tennessee TitansThe Colts (6-8) are another team on the bubble, desperately clinging to their slim playoff hopes. If Tennessee pulls off the win in this AFC South showdown, it essentially knocks Indy out of contention and moves Baltimore closer to the postseason.
A Ravens win or losses by both Miami and Indianapolis this weekend would secure Baltimore’s spot in the playoffs.
AFC playoff picture: Where the Ravens stand
As it stands, the Ravens are currently the 5th seed in the AFC Wild Card race, sitting behind division leaders Kansas City (13-1), Buffalo (11-3), Pittsburgh (10-4), and Houston (9-5). With the Broncos (9-5) and Chargers (8-6) rounding out the playoff picture, Baltimore has little margin for error. Fortunately, Baltimore owns the tiebreaker over the Broncos and Chargers since they've beaten both head-to-head.
A loss to the Steelers this week wouldn’t eliminate the Ravens but would add unnecessary pressure heading into the final two weeks of the season. However, a loss would hand the Steelers the AFC North crown. The good news? The Ravens control their destiny. Win, and they’re in.
The bottom line
Baltimore fans should have two priorities this weekend: rooting for a Ravens win against Pittsburgh and keeping a close watch on the Dolphins and Colts. A Ravens victory would make all the other scenarios irrelevant, but hey, a little extra help never hurts.
The path to the postseason is right in front of them. Now it’s up to Lamar Jackson and the Ravens to handle their business on Saturday and give fans an early holiday gift: a ticket to the playoffs.