Tag: 2020 AFC Playoff Picture

Will Ravens QB Lamar Jackson finally silence the critics?

Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson can redeem his post-season struggles and advance to the AFC Championship this weekend.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has played exceptionally in response to his five-year $260 million contract this spring. Will Jackson finally silence his critics by advancing to the AFC Championship?

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Jackson’s 1-3 record in the post-season is a stark contrast to his counterpart, Houston Texans quarterback C.J Stroud. Stroud is now 1-0, thanks to the Texan’s win in the AFC Wild Card.  Jackson complimented Stroud this week in the media but did so with an undertone that implied his aspirations.

Jackson knows that Regular season success won’t be enough for his critics to merit him the MVP award. The Ravens finished the season on a high note with locker-room celebrations and tons of raves in the media. It can be all for naught if they are one and done.

It is imperative that Jackson avoids turnovers and makes accurate passes against the Texans’ blitz. The Texans are allowing just 3.5 rush yards per carry this season. To counter the Texans’ run defense, Jackson may look for wide receiver Zay Flowers in 1-on-1 situations.

Ideally, the Ravens will want to avoid turning this game into an offensive shootout and sustain offensive drives to keep the home crowd engaged. Jackson must exemplify poise and precision to prevail. That is if he wants to advance to the AFC Championship.

Bills scouting report: Scouting the Ravens’ divisional-round opponent

A look at the offensive and defensive statistics of the Buffalo Bills ahead of the AFC divisional-round clash with the Baltimore Ravens

The Buffalo Bills are the only thing between the Baltimore Ravens and the AFC Championship Game. That makes this AFC divisional-round matchup between the two sides possibly the best game in a star-studded weekend of action.

The Bills finished the regular season with a 13-3 record, their best season since they went 13-3 in back to back in 1990 and 1991. Sean McDermott, the Bills head coach, has led the team to the playoffs in three of his four seasons at the helm. The only other coaches in team history with three postseason berths are Marv Levy and Lou Saban.

Buffalo is one of the best teams in the NFL, ranked No. 4 in total DVOA, according to Football Outsiders. The Bills finished as the No. 2 seed in the AFC behind only the Kansas City Chiefs, and their first-place finish in the AFC East marked their first division title since 1995.

The Bills overcame a spirited showing from the Indianapolis Colts in the wild-card round to advance to meet the Ravens. The Colts outgained the Bills 472 -397, but Buffalo made just enough plays to pull off a 27-24 victory — the first since 1995.

Let’s take a closer look at what the Ravens can expect to see from the Bills this week:

Ravens vs. Bills: 7 fun facts about this divisional round matchup

The Baltimore Ravens trip to Buffalo to face the Bills this weekend is no laughing matter. The occasion, the AFC divisional round of the 2020 NFL playoffs, makes this a matter of the utmost seriousness. The Ravens will be expected to bring a …

The Baltimore Ravens trip to Buffalo to face the Bills this weekend is no laughing matter. The occasion, the AFC divisional round of the 2020 NFL playoffs, makes this a matter of the utmost seriousness. The Ravens will be expected to bring a straight-faced, businesslike attitude to things this week.

But that doesn’t mean we have to. In keeping with this theme, here are seven fun facts you should know about these two teams, heading into the all-important clash of two AFC titans this weekend.

AFC playoff picture: Ravens still on the outside in Week 16 but here’s how they can get back in

The race for the postseason is hotting up, with the AFC playoff picture solidifying. Here are the Ravens’ playoff scenarios for Week 16

It’s the mad dash at the end of the season for just seven playoff spots. And with just two games remaining, teams like the Baltimore Ravens — who are on the outside looking in — need to make a final push to earn a spot in the AFC playoff picture.

After beating the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 15, the Ravens sit at 9-5 and looking better by the week. However, with some losses earlier in the season, Baltimore is in need of a little help in addition to winning out if they want to be in the playoffs.

Let’s take a look at how the AFC playoff picture looks entering the next to last week of the season.

AFC playoff picture: Ravens have clear paths to playoffs after beating Browns

After a wild Week 14, the Baltimore Ravens are looking quite a bit better in the AFC playoff picture, even if they’re not in the seeding yet

The NFL season has only three more weeks remaining, and there is still much to be resolved. This is especially the case with the AFC playoff picture, where several teams are jockeying for position, and others are trying to find a way in.

If the season were to end today, the Baltimore Ravens have the eighth-best record in the conference, which wouldn’t be enough to earn them a trip to the playoffs. But by earning a second win over the Cleveland Browns, the Ravens do have a handy tiebreaker should it be necessary. All Baltimore can do now is keep winning games and see what happens elsewhere.

Let’s see how the AFC playoff picture looks following Week 14.

AFC playoff picture: Ravens on the outside looking in after Week 11

How does the top seven in the AFC conference look at present, and who would be the playoff teams if the season ended today?

For the first time all season, the AFC playoff picture does not include the Baltimore Ravens. Their loss to the Tennessee Titans, coupled with results elsewhere, pushed the Ravens out of the top seven teams in the AFC. Given the team’s struggles on the field, especially on offense, and off it due to their increased exposure to Covid-19, we are entering a crucial stage of the season for the Ravens. The margin for error in the remaining weeks of the season is practically zero.

Let’s see how the AFC playoff picture looks following Week 11, with standings courtesy of Tankathon.

AFC playoff picture: Ravens barely holding onto playoff berth after Week 10

Results in Week 10 have had a major bearing on the AFC playoff picture, with the Baltimore Ravens falling down the pecking order.

The top of the AFC playoff picture didn’t change much in Week 10. The Pittsburgh Steelers tightened their grip on the conference with another win while the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills stayed still during their bye week. But there was plenty of shifting at the bottom of the AFC playoff picture, seeing significant changes impacting the other playoff berths.

The Baltimore Ravens dropped down significantly following their Week 10 loss to the New England Patriots. While they were held at No. 5 entering the week thanks to the Steelers’ undefeated record putting them in the lead of the AFC North, they were nearly pushed out of the seeding after Sunday.

Let’s see how the AFC playoff picture looks following Week 10, with standings courtesy of Tankathon.

AFC playoff picture: Steelers still lead the way in the AFC after Week 8

A look at the AFC playoff picture as we approach the halfway mark of the 2020 season.

The faces in play for a spot in the AFC playoff picture remained the same after Week 8. But there was some juggling of places, with wins and losses in the last week of NFL action bringing about some slight re-ordering of the seeding.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, the last remaining unbeaten team this season, continued their winning start to remain atop the AFC. Unfortunately, Pittsburgh’s win came at the expense of the Baltimore Ravens. Still, with both the Ravens and Cleveland Browns losing, the AFC North holds three of the prized seven playoff berths in the conference right now.

Let’s see how the AFC playoff picture looks following Week 8.

AFC playoff picture: A new leader of the pack after Week 6

If the season were to end today, the Pittsburgh Steelers would rule the roost in the AFC while the Baltimore Ravens would be a wild card.

Though history says the Baltimore Ravens’ impressive 5-1 record points to Super Bowl glory, the Ravens’ first task includes just getting into the postseason. But as Baltimore enters its Week 7 bye, it’s right in the thick of the AFC playoff picture.

With Week 6 formally concluded after a Monday night doubleheader, the playoff picture continues to take shape, especially in the AFC. This conference now boasts two of the last three unbeaten teams in 2020. With only one team earning a first-round bye in the playoffs landing that No. 1 seed is more important than ever before.

Let’s see how the AFC playoff picture looks following Week 6.

AFC playoff picture – Week 7

Seed Team Record
1 Pittsburgh Steelers 5-0
2 Tennessee Titans 5-0
3 Kansas City Chiefs 5-1
4 Buffalo Bills 4-2
5 Baltimore Ravens 5-1
6 Cleveland Browns 4-2
7 Indianapolis Colts 4-2

The Indianapolis Colts are now in the playoff picture after improving to 4-2 with their win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. This victory has knocked the Las Vegas Raiders out of their spot, although the Raiders were on a bye in Week 6.

Week 7 should have massive implications for the whole AFC with the Pittsburgh Steelers taking on the Tennessee Titans. This battle of two 5-0 teams will see one extend their lead at the top of the conference, while the other must come down and join the dogfight with the rest of the playoff-caliber teams.

Despite boasting a 5-1 record, the Ravens would still go on the road in the first round of the playoffs, taking on the Buffalo Bills. The Bills may have lost their last two games, but they lead the AFC East with a 4-2 record due to the improved play of quarterback Josh Allen. The Ravens’ one defeat means they are looking up at the Steelers in the AFC North standings, and will therefore probably be hoping for a Titans win this weekend.

Things are undoubtedly going to continue jockeying around over the final few months of the regular season. But as it stands right now, the Ravens are firmly in the AFC playoff picture after Week 6.

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