NFL Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore Ravens Poised To Take Stranglehold On AFC North In Week 8

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Evan Habeeb - USA TODAY Sports

Evan Habeeb – USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Ravens have one game remaining until they hit the season’s halfway mark, and a win in Week 8 would give the team a commanding hold on the top spot in the AFC North. Next week, Baltimore will travel to face their division rival Cincinnati Bengals in a game with huge division and playoff implications. If Baltimore can take advantage of this opportunity it will get them that much closer to being back in the AFC playoffs, and given the way they’ve played thus far, a playoff appearance wouldn’t be seen as a fluke.

There appear to be a few shoo-ins for the AFC playoffs this season. The New England Patriots will run away with the AFC East, the Indianapolis Colts are the favorite for the AFC South and, not to take anything away from the San Diego Chargers because they are playing at a very high level right now, but there may not be a team in football that can keep up with the firepower of the Denver Broncos, who will likely take the AFC West. The Chargers look like a Wild Card team at the moment, and outside of these likely scenarios, the AFC playoffs could go a few ways. That being said, the Ravens could help dictate what that playoff picture could look like and would find themselves in a very advantageous position if they can get a win in Week 8.

It wouldn’t be a surprise at this point if they not only made the playoffs but actually made a playoff run. With the exception of a game against the Broncos, any matchup in the AFC playoffs could be a winnable game for the Ravens. Their offense thus far is ranked in the top 10 in the league in points per game (6th with over 27), yards per game (7th with 387), pass yards per game (9th with 256) and rush yards per game (7th with 131). Defensively, no team in the NFL has given up less points per game than the Ravens, who are giving up just under 15 through seven games. Additionally, they’ve been great against the run, allowing less than 90 yards a game.

It’s hard not to look ahead to the postseason as the halfway mark of the season is closing in. Next week’s division matchup will be the Baltimore’s most important game of the season thus far, and we’ll know a lot more about this team and its playoff aspirations as a result. At this point, however, the Ravens aren’t a team that will just squeak into the playoffs; they’re looking like a team that belongs with the other top teams in the AFC.

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