This is the kind of performance Ravens fans have been waiting for. Baltimore’s 30-23 win over the Commanders featured big contributions from Lamar Jackson, who threw for 323 yards, Derrick Henry, who ran for 132 yards and two touchdowns, and Zay Flowers, who posted a career-high 132 receiving yards.
It was a vital win with AFC North stakes at play. The Pittsburgh Steelers stayed tied for first at 4-2 after a 32-13 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. The Cincinnati Bengals earned a much-needed win over the New York Giants to move to 2-4, while the Cleveland Browns’ 20-16 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles dropped them to 1-5.
Baltimore’s win ensures they remain on top of the AFC North, tied with Pittsburgh. The division is shaping up to be a two-horse race, with Cincinnati scrambling to recover and Cleveland falling out of contention early. If the Ravens can maintain this balance between run and pass, they could take full control of the division soon.
Where do the Ravens stand after their Week 6 victory over the Commanders?
Updated AFC playoff picture and standings after Week 6
Here's where the AFC playoff seeding stands after the Ravens' big win over the Commanders:
- Kansas City Chiefs (5-0)
- Houston Texans (5-1)
- Baltimore Ravens (4-2)
- Buffalo Bills (3-2)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2)
- Los Angeles Chargers (3-2)
- Indianapolis Colts (3-3)
The AFC North is not the division it was a year ago. All teams ended the season with winning records last year, but this time around, it's hard to see that happening again. Even with a 17-7 victory over the Giants, the Bengals have serious concerns across their roster. The Steelers are keeping things interesting, while the Browns might be the worst team in the league.
After earning their fourth win in a row, the Ravens move into the third spot in the AFC playoff picture. If the season were to end today, they'd play the Chargers in the Wild Card round.
Across the AFC, the Houston Texans kept up their strong campaign with a dominant 41-21 victory over the New England Patriots, tightening their hold on the AFC South. The Indianapolis Colts, led by former Ravens QB Joe Flacco, edged out the Tennessee Titans 20-17, staying in the playoff conversation. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Chargers earned a critical 23-16 win over the Denver Broncos, boosting their postseason chances by moving into a potential playoff spot.
The season is still young, but the AFC is shaping up to be a pushover of a conference this year. Aside from a few juggernauts at the top, the rest of the conference is, 'meh.' Across the top, it's the usual suspects, and it's a safe bet they'll remain by the time the season is over.