The Baltimore Ravens’ win over the Cowboys Saturday solidified their playoff standing and now they control their own destiny heading into Week 17- the final regular season test. While the Ravens control their own destiny, they do not want to lose their final game at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Baltimore can still sneak in with a loss but by winning, and thus, controlling their own fate, they can ensure that they do not need to keep an eye on the scoreboard at M&T Bank Stadium Sunday. The Ravens can only clinch the 6th-seed, wild-card spot in the AFC playoffs.
"Bottom line, we're right where we need to be," middle linebacker Ray Lewis said. "One more game and then we can talk about the playoffs."
NFL Wildcard Tiebreakers
1. Head-to-head, if applicable.
2. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.
3. Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games, minimum of four.
4. Strength of victory.
5. Strength of schedule.
Baltimore Ravens’ Playoff Scenarios
Here is a look at what the Ravens need to do to get in the playoffs and potential playoff match-ups, if they clinch a playoff berth:
- Ravens clinch the 6th seed in the playoffs with a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday. (They cannot overtake the Colts for the 5th-seed, wild card spot even if both teams finish the regular season with the same record. The Colts defeated the Ravens 31-3. See #1 tiebreaker above.)
- With a win, the Ravens hold the tiebreaker over both the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins who square off against one another on Sunday.
Baltimore Ravens' Playoff Chances
The Ravens biggest obstacle to clinching a playoff berth is the AFC East. With a loss, there are still the following scenarios for them to gain a playoff berth:
- Ravens clinch the 6th seed in the playoffs with a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday AND a loss by the New England Patriots at the Buffalo Bills.
The Ravens would have a better conference record than the Patriots.
- The Ravens clinch the 6th seed in the playoffs with a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday AND losses by the New England Patriots and New Yorks Jets.
The Ravens would have a better conference record than the Patriots and a better overall record than the Jets.
- The Ravens would be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss AND a Patriots win.
The Patriots would have a better conference record than the Ravens.
- The Ravens would be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss AND a Jets win against the Dolphins. The Ravens would be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss AND a Dolphins win at the New York Jets AND a Patriots win at Buffalo.
The Dolphins would clinch the AFC East title while the Patriots would clinch the 6th seed in the playoffs by virtue of a better record the Ravens.
Ravens' Playoff Match-up
If the Ravens clinch a playoff spot, they will play the 3rd-seeded, AFC East Champion. Depending on what happens in next week's action this could be the Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, or New York Jets.
Source:
www.stats.com
 |
