Baltimore Ravens Face Do-or-Die Situation In Week 17
Troy Taormina – USA TODAY Sports
All season long the Baltimore Ravens have seemingly teetered on the line between playoff contention and mediocrity, so it seems fitting that they enter Week 17 in a do-or-die situation. Baltimore is currently the first team out of the AFC playoffs, but a win in Week 17 against the Cleveland Browns and a San Diego Chargers loss to the Kansas City Chiefs would push the Ravens into the AFC’s second Wild Card spot.
With two AFC North teams already having clinched playoff spots (the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers), the Ravens could potentially be the third team from the division to reach the postseason. Baltimore enters the game at 9-6 (2-3 in the division) and they’ll have to skip over the 9-6 Chargers, who own the tiebreaker against the Ravens after beating them back in Week 13.
Having lost two of their last four games, Baltimore is somewhat lucky to still have a shot at playoff contention. That being said, they face a winnable game against the Browns and will hope that the Chiefs can play spoiler and push the Ravens into the postseason. Baltimore beat Cleveland in Week 3 of the season, however, the Browns have been arguably one of the NFL‘s more surprising teams this season. They’ll have a chance to end the season at 8-8 and ruin any chance Baltimore has at making the playoffs.
I think the Ravens will have a good chance to beat the Browns, but I’m not so sure about the Chiefs being able to beat the Chargers, which is essential if the Ravens want to make the postseason. Kansas City will be without quarterback Alex Smith, as he is out with a lacerated spleen. However, Kansas City will be at home where they’re 5-2 this year, which should give some Ravens fans hope.
Before the season started, I predicted the Ravens would secure a Wild Card spot, and I’m going to stick with that and say that Week 17 will go their way and they’ll find a way into the playoffs.
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