The Baltimore Ravens haven’t lost a game since September. Since losing two straight games at the tail end of the month, Baltimore has gone on a league-best eight-game winning streak to a 10-2 record. As they prepare for the Buffalo Bills in Week 14, the Ravens have a rare opportunity to clinch a playoff spot early.
If Baltimore beats Buffalo, they’ll be guaranteed a playoff berth regardless of how the rest of the season fares. The Ravens could also clinch a playoff berth in the other following ways:
- Ravens win
- Ravens tie + Titans loss or tie
- Ravens tie + Texans loss or tie
- Texans loss + Colts loss or tie + Titans-Raiders ends in a tie
As noted in our AFC North standings article, a Pittsburgh Steelers loss and Ravens win would see them also officially clinch the division crown in addition to earning a playoff spot.
Baltimore currently holds the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoff picture thanks to beating the San Francisco 49ers in Week 13 while the New England Patriots lost to the Houston Texans. If the Ravens are able to hold on to their No. 1 seed, they’ll head into the postseason with a first-round bye and force all their playoff opponents to play in Baltimore.
This is somewhat unfamiliar territory for the Ravens. In the 11 seasons Baltimore has gone to the postseason in franchise history, only one season (2011) saw them skip the wild card round. Most of the time, the Ravens have had to pick up wins in the final week of the season and in some cases, they needed some outside help to back into the playoffs. To clinch a berth early really indicates just how special this team is.
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