NFL Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore Ravens Facing Must-Win Game Against Tampa Bay Buccaneers In Week 6

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Brian Spurlock - USA TODAY Sports

Brian Spurlock – USA TODAY Sports

Having a 16-game schedule makes nearly every game an NFL team plays a big game. As we approach the season’s halfway mark in just a few weeks, this fact becomes more and more evident. This Sunday’s Week 6 matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, however, is a must-win for the Ravens for a few reasons.

After starting the year 3-1 — and perhaps exceeding some expectations early on — the Ravens now find themselves at 3-2 after a tough road loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 5. Their record is currently good enough for second best in the AFC North behind the division-leading Cincinnati Bengals (3-1). This weekend’s matchup against the Bucs gives the Ravens a good shot at keeping pace with the Bengals, or perhaps even sharing the division’s top spot. The Bengals are playing a very sound Carolina Panthers team this week and will be on the road next week to face the Colts. Not many people chose the Ravens to take the AFC North this year, yet they’re in a position as they approach the halfway mark of the season to contend for a spot atop the division. Their schedule is not as tough as Cincinnati’s and if they want to have a chance at the division, this week’s matchup could either keep them in contention or separate them more than they have been all season.

Of course, there’s always the possibility that the Ravens will fall short in their run at a division title, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be out of postseason contention. Before the season started, I predicted the Ravens would earn the second and final AFC wild card spot, and they’ve proven thus far that such a target is attainable. It seems clear the first AFC wild card spot will go to whichever team finishes second in the AFC West — most likely the Denver Broncos or San Diego Chargers (and the Kansas City Chiefs could easily be considered contenders as that division has some depth). It’s still a bit early to formulate a likely AFC playoff picture, however this week’s matchup for the Ravens will help to clear up the team’s playoff chances as they are one of six AFC teams with a 3-2 record (and one of those teams is fellow AFC North counterpart Pittsburgh Steelers).

Given that the Ravens may be vying for that final playoff spot, it makes games like this week’s matchup against the Buccaneers that much more important because the Ravens need to take advantage of weaker teams. Baltimore’s two losses this year have come at the hands of what many consider to be elite AFC contenders, losing in Week 1 to the Bengals and losing to the Colts last week. The Ravens’ schedule isn’t overly demanding and it doesn’t ask them to beat many elite teams to have a shot at the playoffs. They do, however, need to stay consistent against the weaker matchups on their schedule if they want to keep pace for a playoff spot. A game against Tampa Bay is very winnable, and playoff teams find ways to win games like that. If the Ravens are going to be considered a legitimate playoff team, this is a game they have to win.

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