Baltimore Ravens Playoff Odds Skyrocket With Victory

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For Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens, the wins keep on coming. Because of that, the Baltimore Ravens playoff odds have dramatically increased heading into the home stretch.

Prior to their Week 16 game on Saturday night, the Baltimore Ravens had a mere 41-percent chance to make the postseason. Though they were one of three teams tied with an 8-6 record and the holder of the final playoff spot prior to Week 16, their matchup on Saturday against the Chargers was daunting and most pundits had them losing.

Now, however, about an hour after the game finished, the Ravens playoff odds have skyrocketed from 41 percent to 83 percent, according to FiveThirtyEight. To the surprise of many, the Ravens topped the Chargers 22-10 on Saturday evening and although the Titans also won earlier in the day, Baltimore is in a very good position to make the postseason. Perhaps, if the right things happen in the Steelers’ final two games, they could win the AFC North title.

Baltimore closes their season in Week 17 with a home game against Cleveland. If they win, they pretty much lock up a spot somewhere in the AFC Playoffs. According to FiveThirtyEight, though, if the Steelers lose their final two, the Ravens will win the division regardless if Baltimore wins in Week 17 or not. In that scenario, the Ravens would finish with a 9-7 record while Pittsburgh would finish 8-7-1.

If Pittsburgh loses to New Orleans on Sunday, the Ravens will be the AFC North leader going into the final week.

The worst thing that can happen is for the Titans to beat the Colts in Week 17, the Steelers beat New Orleans and Cincinnati in their final two games, and the Ravens lose to Cleveland in their season finale. According to FiveThirtyEight, this scenario will keep Baltimore out of the postseason.

I encourage you to play around with FiveThirtyEight’s playoff machine here — it’s really fun, I promise. Their system is based “on 100,000 simulations of the season.”

Regardless of what happens, it’s clear the Baltimore Ravens are a serious team with an exciting rookie quarterback and a top-notch defense. If they get in the postseason tournament, look out because they can beat anyone. And for future reference, it looks like they’re going to be scary for years to come.

Featured Image: Keith Allison

CATEGORY: NFL