The Baltimore Ravens’ Week 15 matchup will have a major impact on their hunt for a 2025 playoff berth. Sitting at 6-7, their backs are against the wall. Sure, they control their own destiny, but they must win out to do so, and their remaining schedule is one of the toughest in the NFL.
According to Tankathon, the Ravens have the fifth-toughest schedule remaining, with their only easier opponent perceived to be the Cincinnati Bengals. If their loss on Thanksgiving is any indication of what the Bengals bring to the table, though, Sunday’s clash will be anything but easy.
A Baltimore win would keep the division-leading Pittsburgh Steelers on the hot seat heading into Sunday Night Football when they take on the Miami Dolphins. However, it does a lot more than that.
Zachary Rotman of FanSided dove into every scenario with playoff implications in Week 15. Among those was Cincinnati's potential elimination. If the Ravens win, they would eliminate the Bengals, taking out a key division rival. Rotman wrote:
“At 4-9, the Cincinnati Bengals' season is on thin ice. They're prepared to host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, and failing to win would all but end their season. They could still technically remain alive if they tie and the Pittsburgh Steelers lose, but that, obviously, is improbable.”
Ravens can eliminate Bengals on Sunday
At 4-9, Cincinnati does not pose a significant threat to getting in the way of Baltimore’s race to the playoffs. However, their offense with quarterback Joe Burrow back on the field is lethal. If the Ravens were to lose, the Bengals would be breathing down their necks just a game back.
The John Harbaugh-led squad would also see its playoff hopes on life support in the final stretch of the regular season. According to ESPN Analytics, their playoff odds currently sit at 30%. A win would boost that to 48%. But a loss? Those odds would plummet to 14% with three games to go.
As for the Bengals, NFL.com says they only hold a 1% chance to make the playoffs ahead of Week 15. That limps up to 3% with a win.
In the grand scheme of things, the Bengals are the last of the Ravens’ worries when it comes to the division title race. However, this week, they are priority number one. They need to take advantage and eliminate a rival obstacle, as with a potent offense led by Burrow looming on the other side, anything is possible.