Why the Ravens won Week 13 without playing a game
The Baltimore Ravens (9-3) entered last week coming off a win on the road at the Los Angeles Chargers. That put the Flock atop the AFC and the AFC North division by extension. Baltimore enjoyed their bye week last weekend and even without playing a game last Sunday, the Ravens still found a way to win the Week 13 slate.
The results from Sunday's games favored the Baltimore Ravens nearly impeccably. Barring the very-expected victory of the Miami Dolphins over the Washington Commanders, all other AFC contenders and members of the AFC North division lost their games paving the way for Baltimore to stay in a prime position to end up with the no. 1 seed in both races.
With Chiefs loss tonight, the Ravens will report back to work in Owings Mills tomorrow as the AFC No.2 seed behind Miami. They'll be No. 3 if Jags beat Bengals on MNF.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) December 4, 2023
All in all, though, Ravens get some rest and they get some more breathing room in the AFC North.
The Dolphins' win means that Miami is currently sitting atop the AFC with the same record as Baltimore, both 9-3 on the season. Kansas City lost to Green Bay and dropped to the no. 4 seed with an 8-4 record, while the Jaguars are the no. 3 AFC team with an 8-3 record and facing the Bengals tonight.
Baltimore will have to beat at least a couple of elite teams if the Ravens want to retain (or get, as things stand) the no. 1 seed in the AFC as the schedule still features the likes of Jacksonville, San Francisco, and Miami in three of the next four weeks.
Even then, per The Athletic, Baltimore boasts a solid 98.4 percent odds to make the postseason and a reasonable 18.6 percent chance of earning a bye week in the playoffs by getting the no. 1 seed in the AFC when the regular season is over.
What a great Sunday.
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) December 4, 2023
While the Ravens were on their bye, getting healthier for their stretch run, the Browns and Steelers both lost.
AFC North standings:
Ravens (9-3)
Steelers (7-5)
Browns (7-5)
Bengals (5-6*)
* play the Jaguars on MNF
Within the AFC North division, Week 13 couldn't have yielded better results for the Ravens.
Ravens enjoy superb Week 13 AFC North results while on their bye
The Pittsburgh Steelers were horrible against the lowly Arizona Cardinals and dropped the ball by losing 24–10 while losing starting QB Kenny Pickett for 2-4 weeks according to Gerry Dulac.
The Cleveland Browns named former Ravens QB and Super Bowl champ Joe Flacco their fourth starter of the season but the veteran couldn't help them beat the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. The loss dropped Cleveland to a 7-5 record, tied with the Steelers for second place in the division and only above the Bengals.
Cincinnati didn't play on Sunday as their matchup is scheduled for MNF. The Bengals will face the Jacksonville Jaguars, though even with a win they won't be able to improve their position in the AFC North standings as they are currently boasting a 5-6 record.
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The Ravens only have one AFC North matchup left on the schedule, a season-finale game against the Steelers in Week 18 to put an end to the regular season on Jan. 7.
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