Week 16 rooting guide: A backup plan for the Ravens’ playoff hopes

The Baltimore Ravens don’t need to win in Week 16 in order to clinch the No. 1 or No. 2 seed. All they need is a little help.

The Baltimore Ravens have a game of their own this week but with the 2019 season winding down, it’s the time of the year where we pay attention to the rest of the league.

While the Ravens can clinch the top spot in the AFC playoff picture by beating the Cleveland Browns, they have a pretty solid backup plan. With a little help, it won’t matter how Baltimore performs in Week 16, they can still lock up the No. 1 seed. But to get there, Ravens fans will have to start rooting for a few other teams.

Let’s take a look at which teams Baltimore should be cheering on in Week 16.

Buffalo Bills (10-4) at New England Patriots (11-3)

Rooting for: Bills

Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

This is a huge game for both Buffalo and New England. It would open the door for the Bills to take the lead in the AFC East in Week 17 and could be the end of a Patriots stranglehold on the division. More importantly, it’s a piece of the puzzle for the Ravens this week.

If Baltimore were to fall to Cleveland, Buffalo beating New England would lock the Ravens into at least the No. 2 seed this week. Baltimore would get a first-round bye in the postseason if the Bills handle their business in Week 16.