Category: AFC North Standings

2024 projected win totals for AFC North teams

We’re looking at a ranking of 2024 win total projections for all four AFC North teams

The Ravens (13-4) were the No. 1 seed in the AFC and had a first-round bye after navigating one of the NFL’s most demanding schedules.

With a first-place finish in 2023, the schedule will only get even more complicated, and after the late Sunday afternoon games, we have some unofficial idea of what the 2024 slate will look like.

Baltimore will play nine games on the road, eight at M&T Bank Stadium.

The schedule will be highlighted by matchups against their AFC North foes (Steelers, Bengals, Browns), the NFC East, AFC West, the AFC South champ, the NFC South champ, and the AFC East champion.

The league uses multiple factors to determine the year’s game schedule.

There’s a cycle of inter-conference faceoffs; each NFC division rotates through each AFC division every four seasons and the other NFC divisions every three seasons.

In addition, where a team finishes within their division dictates a same-finish matchup with one team from the opposite conference and whichever divisions aren’t in the rotation for that season.

Offering an early glimpse into where the Ravens could finish this season, we’re looking at total win projection for all four AFC North squads.

Lamar Jackson makes NFL history with dominant performance in 34-10 win over Texans

Lamar Jackson was dominant from start to finish and will likely win his second NFL MVP after making NFL history in Ravens 34-10 win over the Houston Texans

Lamar Jackson was on another level from start to finish and will likely win his second NFL MVP in the coming weeks.

In Saturday’s win, Jackson accounted for four total touchdowns while becoming the first player in NFL history to log two rushing touchdowns, two passing touchdowns, 100 yards rushing, and 100 yards passing in the same game.

The stat line is a credit to offensive coordinator Todd Monken and the Ravens’ ability to develop a scheme that features what the dual-threat quarterback does best.

The Ravens avoided the repeat of 2019, advancing to the AFC title game after dominating the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium.

The win gave Baltimore two wins over DeMeco Ryan’s team, and the combined scores of 56-19 provide insight into how far Houston has to climb before they start thinking about championship Sunday.

In all, Jackson accounted for 252 yards, four total touchdowns, and a `121.8 quarterback rating on the night while getting Baltimore one step closer to a Super Bowl appearance.

National reaction to Ravens advancing to AFC Championship game with 34-10 win over Texans

We’re looking at the national reaction to the Baltmore Ravens advancing to the AFC Championship game after a 34-10 iwin over the Houston Texans

The Ravens avoided the repeat of 2019, advancing to the AFC title game after a dominant 34-10 win over the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium.

The win gave Baltimore two wins over DeMeco Ryan’s team, and the combined scores of 56-19 provide insight into how far Houston has to climb before they start thinking about championship Sunday.

Lamar Jackson was dominant from start to finish and will likely win his second NFL MVP after accounting for 252 yards, four total touchdowns, and a `121.8 quarterback rating.

Mike Macdonald’s defense held Houston to 213 yards of total offense on 47 offensive plays, limiting C.J. Stroud to 19-33 passing for 175 yards and no touchdowns.

After overcoming past failures, here’s the national reaction to the Ravens’ dominant victory.

Ravens vs. Texans: 10 takeaway from first half of Divisional Round matchup

We’re looking at ten takeaways from the first half as the Ravens and Texans are tied 10-10 in AFC Divisional Round matchup at M&T Bank Stadium

Baltimore got off to a slow start on Saturday before kicking things into gear on both sides of the football.

All-Pro quarterback Lamar Jackson was 7 of 11 passing, for 52 yards, one touchdown, and a 105.1 quarterback rating. Jackson had runs of 23 yards and 15 yards in the second quarter, scoring a drive that put the Ravens up 10-3 on the youthful Texans.

Houston responded on special teams, as recently elevated running back Steven Sims brought a punt return back 67 yards with 5:00 left in the first half.

With both teams back on the field, we’re looking at ten takeaways from the first half.

Ravens release first injury report ahead of AFC divisional round matchup vs. Texans

Mark Andrews and Zay Flowers were among four Ravens to not practice ahead of Saturday’s divisional matchup vs. the Texans

An already dynamic offensive unit could get a massive jolt as Mark Andrews continues to ramp up his participation ahead of the team’s AFC divisional round matchup against the Houston Texans.

Wide receiver Zay Flowers (calf), outside linebacker Odafe Oweh (ankle), and linebacker Malik Harrison (groin) all returned to practice.

Andrews returned to practice on Friday, but it remains to be seen whether the talented pass catcher will be healthy enough to play in Saturday’s divisional playoff game against Houston.

Despite missing the final six games with a fractured fibula, Andrews leads the Ravens in touchdown receptions (6) and has the second-most catches (45) and third-most receiving yards (544).

Ravens who benefited the most from first-round bye in the AFC playoffs

We’re looking at the Baltimore Ravens who benefited the most from the first round bye in the AFC playoffs

The Ravens used the bye week to get even healthier ahead of the divisional-round matchup against the Texans. Head coach John Harbaugh is “optimistic” that injured players will gradually return to practice this week.

“We’re pretty optimistic about everybody, varying degrees of optimism with certain guys,” Harbaugh said. “It’s just like any week, you have to see it unfold. Some guys are good to go. Other guys are going to be more day by day.”

Baltimore has decisions on wide receiver/returner Devin Duvernay and defensive back Ar’Darius Washington, who are in the middle of their injured reserve practice window.

With preparation for the Texans underway, we’re looking at which Ravens benefited the most from the first-round bye.

2024 NFL Divisional Round schedule: Times, dates, matchups

With the Wild Card Round almost complete, here’s the initial 2024 Divisional Round schedule for the NFL playoffs

There are still two games left to be played, but the NFL has finalized the sites, dates, and times schedule for the Divisional Playoffs, presented by Intuit TurboTax, on January 20-21.

Next weekend, we will see the top-seeded Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers make their postseason debut, with Green Bay traveling to Santa Clara for a gigantic Saturday night matchup on FOX.

Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Tampa, and Philadelphia are still left to play, and the winners will hit the road for potential divisional matchups with wins.

With the Sunday slate of games now complete, here’s an initial release of the divisional round schedule that includes times, dates, and locations.

Bills wild card matchup vs. Steelers postponed due to winter storm

Due to the winter storm, the Steelers-Bills wild-card game officially has been postponed to 4:30 ET on Monday.

The Baltimore Ravens may have to wait until Monday evening to find out who they’ll face in the AFC’s divisional round of the playoffs after the Bills and Steelers wild card matchup was postponed until Monday afternoon.

Sunday was supposed to be the fourth playoff meeting between the two teams and the first to be played in Buffalo’s intense winter weather.

AccuWeather forecasts predicted a high of 24 degrees on Sunday, with winds gusting near 50 miles per hour.

Couple that with the predicted seven+ inches of snow at Highmark Stadium Sunday, and it set up for a disastrous afternoon for everyone involved.

As the AFC’s top seed, Baltimore could potentially face Pittsburgh for the second time in three weeks if the Steelers can pull the upset.

The Ravens could also be staring at another matchup with the Cleveland Browns if they’re able to defeat the Houston Texans on the road.

Seven team AFC playoff field is set after Titans upset Jaguars

The seven team AFC playoff field is set and the Steelers are in after the Tennessee Titans upset the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday

The AFC playoff field is set after the Titans upset the Jaguars in the early portion of Sunday’s AFC Week 18 games.

Pittsburgh needed a win over Baltimore and a loss by either Buffalo or Jacksonville to avoid missing the playoffs for the second straight season.

Once Houston secures the AFC South, their matchup with Cleveland is the only Wild Card Weekend contest set in stone.

Instant analysis of Ravens 17-10 loss to the Steelers in Week 18 regular-season finale

We’re looking at instant analysis of Baltmore Ravens 17-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 18 regular-season finale

Baltimore will finish the regular season 13-4 after a desperate Pittsburgh squad (10-7) held on for a 17-10 win at sloppy M&T Bank Stadium.

Playing in a driving rain storm all afternoon, the Steelers kept their playoff hopes alive while snapping the Ravens ‘ game-winning streak.

After securing the AFC’s No. 1 seed and the AFC North title by defeating the Dolphins in Week 17, the Ravens (13-4) entered Saturday’s game against their division rival with no playoff ramifications for themselves.

Baltimore sat NFL MVP favorite Lamar Jackson and six other starters: Wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers, guard Kevin Zeitler, middle linebacker Roquan Smith, safety Kyle Hamilton, and cornerback Marlon Humphrey.

With the Ravens set for a Wild Card week bye and the Steelers needing help on Sunday, here’s an instant analysis of the loss.