The Baltimore Ravens have had a roller-coaster season in 2024. The team has swung between dominant performances worthy of a Super Bowl favorite and head-scratching losses to teams picking near the top of the draft.
However, after a pivotal Week 16 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers and a dominant win over the Texans on Christmas, Lamar Jackson and Co. are in a great spot in the AFC North race.
Below we look at the Ravens’ current playoff picture and their scenarios to win the division.
What Is the Baltimore Ravens’ Current Playoff Picture?
The Ravens enter Week 18 at 11-5.
With the Steelers losing to the Chiefs on Christmas Day, Baltimore is back at the top of the AFC North and they control their own destiny — if they win or tie in Week 18, the division crown belongs to them.
Both teams know that Week 18 will be crucial because of its impact on the division record. If both Baltimore and Pittsburgh go 1-1 in the final two weeks and one wins their game in Week 18, the one that wins their divisional matchup in Week 18 will take the division.
The good news for John Harbaugh’s squad is that last week’s win over Pittsburgh clinched a playoff spot. Baltimore cannot be the No. 1 seed, but any of the six remaining seeds in the AFC are still available to the Ravens.
Do the Ravens Have Any Clinching Scenarios in Week 17?
No, the Ravens cannot clinch anything this week beyond the playoff berth they’ve already earned. Notably, Baltimore cannot be eliminated from contention from the division either.
While they cannot clinch this week, they do control their own destiny. If the Ravens win or tie in Week 18, they will win the division.
How Does the Ravens’ Week 17 Result Impact Their Playoff Scenarios?
The Ravens’ easiest path to winning the AFC North is finishing 2-0 while the Steelers lose or tie one of their final two games. Because Baltimore has only one specific scenario where it can win the division in a tie with Pittsburgh, it’s imperative that the Ravens finish with a better record than the Steelers over the final two weeks.
The Ravens also have a path to finishing as high as the No. 2 seed, though it’s unlikely. Baltimore would clinch the No. 2 seed with a 2-0 finish while the Buffalo Bills finish 0-2 against the New York Jets and New England Patriots.
It’s worth noting that the Week 18 game is more important for both the Ravens and Steelers. Because the teams split their head-to-head matchups, the primary tiebreaker will be division record. Right now, both the Steelers and Ravens are 3-2 in the division.
Therefore, if either posts a better Week 18 result, they’ll automatically win the division tiebreaker.
AFC Playoff Race | Week 17
1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1)
2. Buffalo Bills (12-3)
3. Baltimore Ravens (10-5)
4. Houston Texans (9-6)
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)
6. Los Angeles Chargers (9-6)
7. Denver Broncos (9-6)
In The Hunt
8. Indianapolis Colts (7-8)
9. Miami Dolphins (7-8)
10. Cincinnati Bengals (7-8)
Eliminated From Playoffs
11. New York Jets (4-11)
12. Cleveland Browns (3-12)
13. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12)
14. Tennessee Titans (3-12)
15. Las Vegas Raiders (3-12)
16. New England Patriots (3-12)