The Baltimore Ravens handled their own business in Week 13 but managed to see an AFC North rival fall to the wayside without even playing them.
With their loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Cleveland Browns have officially been eliminated from AFC North contention. With a 5-7 record and just four games remaining, the Browns cannot mathematically win the division. It means the Ravens have just one more team to concern themselves with in the AFC North standings as they enter Week 14. Let’s take a look at what the division has on the books for this week.
Baltimore Ravens (10-2) at Buffalo Bills (9-3)
Baltimore is coming off a draining game against the San Francisco 49ers. In the cold rain, the Ravens were taken the distance and beaten up by the 49ers, though they prevailed in the end. Though the Bills aren’t quite as good as San Francisco, they’re another physical team with quite a lot of talent that’s surging. It’s become a cliche to say at this point, but this is yet another really tough test for Baltimore this week.
However, this is a key game for the Ravens. They win, they’re in . . . it’s as simple as that. But they’ll get tested by an athletic quarterback that likes to run in Josh Allen and a defense that plays tough, aggressive football. Buffalo is also fighting for their playoff hopes, even though they can’t lock in a spot in Week 14.
There are no “gimmes” in the NFL and with the importance of this game for the Ravens, they can’t afford to slack off.