ExtremeRavens Posted Tuesday at 08:01 PM Posted Tuesday at 08:01 PM So, you’re saying there’s a chance? It didn’t feel that way Sunday afternoon inside the home locker room at M&T Bank Stadium. Lamar Jackson’s face flushed from the agony of defeat. His teammates couldn’t believe what had transpired. Most fled the scene rather quickly after the Ravens’ 27-22 loss to the Steelers. But with four games left, one game back in the AFC North, coach John Harbaugh was quick to remind them, “the season is not over.” Baltimore still controls its own destiny. Those margins, however, are slim. The cleanest playoff push requires the Ravens win each of their final four games: at Cincinnati, home versus the Patriots, at Green Bay, then a shot at vengeance in Pittsburgh. It’s been weeks of chatter treating each game like it was a playoff game. They’ve essentially reached survive and advance territory. After losing to the Steelers, Baltimore’s playoff odds dropped from 60.9% to 28.9%, per ESPN. The New York Times playoff simulator sank its chances from 64% to 27%. After Sunday’s loss, the message in the locker room was simple: “We just need to win some games. That’s kind of it,” cornerback Marlon Humphrey said. If the Ravens beat the Bengals next week and the Steelers in Week 18, they can afford to drop one, either versus the Packers or Patriots. But they would need some help in the form of a Steelers loss to one of the Dolphins, Lions or Browns this month. If the Ravens beat the Bengals next week and the Steelers in Week 18, but lose to the Packers and Patriots, they can still sneak through the back door of the playoffs. Pittsburgh would need to lose two of their next three in a relatively soft schedule. What if the Steelers completely implode? Based on what we saw Sunday – Aaron Rodgers throwing for 284 yards and a touchdown and wide receiver DK Metcalf torching a respectable defense for 148 yards on seven catches – that’s unlikely. Although not impossible considering they ended last year on a four-game skid. As of now, the Steelers have a 70% shot to clinch a spot in the postseason, per The Times. But if the Browns and quarterback Shedeur Sanders beat the Steelers, or the Steelers lose both games after that, the Ravens can afford to lose in Cincinnati. If that’s the case, they Ravens need to win out in the final three games. Are you following? If it were up to the Ravens, they’d simplify all this by winning the games in front of them. “I really am not trying to think about the playoffs,” running back Derrick Henry said. “Finish the season strong, and then see where we land.” If Baltimore beats the Bengals, Packers and Patriots, and the Steelers drop each of their next three, Week 18 loses its punch. The Ravens will have earned a third straight AFC North title before ringing in the new year. Any scenario for the Ravens making the playoffs at seven or eight wins requires a Pittsburgh collapse and more help from the rest of the division. Cincinnati finishes their season at Miami, then hosting the Cardinals and Browns. But the Bengals are playing better than either of the two division leaders. It would take a lot. But the Ravens do, technically, still have a chance. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article Quote
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