While we are score board Sunday watching, here is another thing to keep in mind. It may spark your rooting interest.
Playoff seeds.
Right now, I think the easiest road to the AFC Championship and Super Bowl would be as a 5th seed. I have to laugh at that. Like there is any easy road.
We probably shouldn't care, because the Ravens had the hardest path to their Super Bowls wins in 2000 and 2012. That worked out to our satisfaction.
So here's how the Seeds play out in the AFC:
Here’s how they could end up anyThe Ravens’ playoff picture is complex. Here’s how they can get the No. 5 seed — or miss it altogether. (msn.com)where from the No. 5 seed to out of the playoff field altogether:
No. 5 seed
If the Ravens win Sunday, only a Dolphins win would deny them the AFC’s top wild-card spot and relegate them to the sixth seed, behind Miami.
In all eight scenarios in which the Ravens are the No. 5 seed, they would face the Colts or Titans in the wild-card round. Tennessee has the inside track to the No. 4 seed; only a loss and an Indianapolis win would send the Titans tumbling.
No. 6 seed
There are 12 scenarios in which the Ravens end up with the sixth seed. Most involve a Ravens win and a Dolphins win.
If the Ravens lose and Miami wins, they would also end up at No. 6 if the Bills, Steelers, Texans and Jaguars win, or if the Bills, Steelers, Titans and Jaguars win.
The Steelers and Bills can’t fall lower than the No. 3 seed, which plays the No. 6 seed.
No. 7 seed
There are only eight scenarios in which the Ravens end up with the last wild-card spot. All entail a Ravens loss and an upset by at least one of the three significant underdogs (Pittsburgh, Jacksonville or Houston).
In all but two of those scenarios, the Bills would earn the No. 2 seed and face the Ravens.
Miss playoffs
There are only four scenarios in which the Ravens do not qualify for the postseason:
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