Updated AFC playoff picture after Ravens edge Bengals in nail-biting Week 10 clash
By Matt Sidney
The Baltimore Ravens pulled off an absolute thriller in Week 10, storming back to edge the Bengals 35-34 in a game that had Ravens fans holding their breath. Down by 14 points in the fourth quarter, Baltimore found another gear, piecing together a comeback for the ages and reminding everyone that this team has zero quit in them.
Lamar Jackson was in peak form, leading the way with 290 yards and four touchdowns on 25-of-33 passing - and not a single turnover. His 141.4 passer rating wasn’t just impressive; it showed he was fully dialed in, delivering when the team needed him most.
Derrick Henry added his usual bruising presence, putting up 68 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries, which helped set up the passing attack. Justice Hill chipped in with 33 yards of his own, giving the run game a good balance. Together, they kept Cincinnati’s defense honest and gave Jackson the room to go to work.
The receiving corps came up big too. Tylan Wallace had a huge day with 115 yards on just three catches, including an 84-yard touchdown that shifted momentum right when Baltimore needed it.
Defensively, the Ravens struggled to contain Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, who combined for 264 yards and three scores. Burrow had a day, throwing for 428 yards and four touchdowns, but when it mattered most, Baltimore’s defense held their ground. Roquan Smith and Kyle Hamilton came up huge on Cincinnati’s final two-point conversion attempt, shutting it down to preserve the win.
This wasn’t a perfect game by any stretch, but the Ravens’ resilience showed up when it counted. It’s the kind of win that can fuel a playoff push, especially with tough matchups still ahead.
Updated AFC playoff picture and standings after Week 10
Following their win over the Bengals, the Ravens improved to 7-3 and continue to sit firmly in fifth place in the AFC playoff race. The standings remain the same from last week:
- Kansas City Chiefs (9-0)
- Buffalo Bills (8-2)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (7-2)
- Houston Texans (6-4)
- Baltimore Ravens (7-3)
- Los Angeles Chargers (6-3)
- Denver Broncos (5-5)
If the playoffs kicked off today, the Ravens would be looking at a Wild Card showdown with the Texans, a team that’s quietly turning into a tough contender. Baltimore’s going to need to keep this momentum rolling, especially with rematches against both the Steelers and Browns coming up. There’s no easing up in this stretch run.
Around the AFC, the big dogs held their ground. The Chiefs stayed unbeaten with a tight 16-14 win over the Broncos, and the Bills fought their way to a 30-20 win against the Colts. The Texans dropped a close one to the Lions, but they’re still right in the playoff mix. And with the Chargers and Steelers also notching wins, the AFC playoff picture is packed, and the pressure on Baltimore to keep stacking wins is only getting higher.
The AFC North is turning into an all-out war, with Baltimore and Pittsburgh battling for the top spot while Cincinnati keeps hanging around, refusing to go away. The Ravens have an edge right now, but let’s be real: with two more matchups against division rivals, the North is far from locked down.
Baltimore’s Week 10 win showed their grit, but they’ve got work to do, especially on defense, if they’re serious about making a playoff run. Jackson’s been playing lights-out, borderline MVP level, and Derrick Henry’s power has brought some serious punch to the ground game.
This team has what it takes to be a playoff nightmare for anyone in the AFC, but let’s face it: in this division, every single game from here on out is a must-win.
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