Ryan Mink
The Ravens have a37% chance of making the playoffswith three weeks to go, but there are three different paths to the AFC North crown.
The Ravens (7-7) trail the Steelers (8-6) by one game. They meet in the regular-season finale in Pittsburgh, and in all scenarios, Baltimore needs to win that game. For now, it's about forcing that game.
The Steelers and Lions play at 4:25 p.m. today. If Pittsburgh loses, the Ravens will take the field tonight with a golden opportunity. A win over the Patriots would force a Week 18 battle in Pittsburgh for the division crown.
Here are all the scenarios for the Ravens:
1. Win Out
Just like last week, the Ravens still control their own destiny after scoring a 24-0 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
If the Ravens beat the Patriots, knock off the Packers at Lambeau Field, and eliminate the Steelers in the regular-season finale, the Ravens are division champions for a third straight year.
"You just assume that you have to take care of your business," Head Coach John Harbaugh said Monday. "It would be a stretch for us not to have to win out. So, we'll plan on that and that's what we're going to have to try to do."
2. Split with the Patriots/Packers and get some help.
The Ravens can lose one of their next two games and still get into the dance.
If the Steelers lose to the Lions or Browns, the Ravens can fall to the Patriots or Packers (doesn't matter which one).
If Pittsburgh loses and Baltimore wins, the Ravens' Week 17 game in Green Bay would be meaningless in terms of the stakes for the AFC North race. Any result would still mean a Week 18 win-or-go-home game for the Ravens and Steelers.
3. Steelers lose two and Ravens win the finale.
If the Steelers crumble and lose their next two road games in Detroit and Cleveland, the Ravens could also lose the next two games against the Patriots and Packers.
The Ravens would then need to beat the Steelers in the finale to be division champions with an 8-9 record.
