The Bye Week is finally here for Baltimore and many can agree that it couldn’t have come at a better time. Ravens fans usually have nothing but scorn for NFL schedule makers but they have little to complain about here as the team can now rest up for the stretch drive as they ready themselves for their final six games.
Regardless of your opinon about how the Ravens fared during the first ten games the fact remains that they are very much in the playoff race. So let’s take a look at the AFC North, arguably the league’s best division this season and see how the final months shape up for Baltimore and their rivals.
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2014 AFC North STANDINGS
| TEAM | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland | 6 | 3 | 0 | .667 | 209 | 172 |
| Cincinnati | 5 | 3 | 1 | .611 | 197 | 211 |
| Pittsburgh | 6 | 4 | 0 | .600 | 261 | 239 |
| Baltimore | 6 | 4 | 0 | .600 | 261 | 181 |
Cleveland Browns: One of the surprise stories of the league has been the relevance of Cleveland this season. Led by new head coach and former Ravens assistant Mike Pettine he’s done a marvelous job keeping the Johnny Manziel circus under wraps and allowing Ohio native Brian Hoyer a chance to guide the offense. Their Thursday night 24-3 thumping of Cincinnati put the division on notice and has helped smash the perception that this team is just waiting to crumble. With a plus-9 turnover ratio — including more interceptions (13) than touchdown passes allowed (12), the only NFL team to accomplish that feat — it’s easy to understand the Browns’ rise this season.
Their remaining schedule has them hosting the Texans this week (4-5), traveling to play Atlanta (3-6) then Buffalo (5-4). They open December with the Colts (6-3) and a Bengals (5-3-1) re-match both at home and then travel to Carolina (3-6-1) and then a season finale at Baltimore (6-4). That’s not an incredibly daunting series of games. The Colts and Bengals will both be in FirstEnergy Stadium while their toughest road games will be in Buffalo and then against the Ravens in a game that could decide the playoff fates of the division.
The Browns must be careful not to trip up against perceived lesser competition as they did in Week Seven losing by eighteen to Jacksonville to give the Jags their lone victory of the season.
Cincinnati Bengals: It’s tough to figure out just how good the defending division champ are this year. They swept the Ravens but were embarrassed by the Patriots (43-17), Colts (27-0) and most recently against the Browns. Quarterback Andy Dalton was off to a fast start but his old issues with consistency have surfaced again and have people debating if truly earned the huge contract extension he signed over the off-season.
Right now the Stripes sit in second place, mere percentage points ahead of Pittsburgh and Baltimore. I have a feeling that their tie with Carolina may hurt them at some point and they have some challenges ahead in their last seven. They have the next three consecutive on the road, playing New Orleans (4-5), Houston (4-5), and Tampa Bay (1-8). Regardless of opponents playing three away from home is always difficult. They still have two left with Pittsburgh, an away game with Cleveland and host the Denver Broncos. Simply put, the Bengals have the toughest schedule left in not only in the division but in the league aside from San Diego.
Pittsburgh Steelers: A few weeks ago the Steelers appeared to be clicking as Ben Roethlisberger was handing out touchdowns at a record rate and Pittsburgh’s young players appeared to be ready for prime time. Until last Sunday’s clunker in New York giving the Jets their second win this year. One of Pittsburgh’s issues over the last few seasons has been an inability to beat teams with losing records. They also dropped a game to the lowly Buccaneers AT HOME. So even though they have one of the easiest schedules remaining nothing is assured when it comes to these Steelers.
They will travel to Tennessee this week and then get their Bye in Week Twelve. Their remaining five look favorable with three games at Heinz (Bengals, Chiefs, Saints) and two away from home (Falcons, Bengals).
Baltimore Ravens: The team is (6-4) after ten games and one thing we have found out about this team is that they beat the teams they are “supposed” to, meaning if they face an opponent with a losing record they take care of business. Essentially, the Ravens are a half game out of first place in the division because they’ve beaten the lesser teams and the other teams have not. And even though some fans may disagree the numbers don’t lie; since John Harbaugh took over as Ravens coach in 2008, the Ravens are 34-8 (.809) against teams with losing records, including Sunday’s 21-7 win over the Titans. Half of their last six are against teams with losing records.
That means the final six sets up nicely for Baltimore if they can hold to form. They get an extra week to plan for the Saints (4-5) who are a much tougher out in the Dome. Back home to play a spiraling Chargers (5-4) team, then travel to Miami (5-4), play host to Jacksonville (1-9), get on the plane to Houston (4-5) and finish at home with the Browns (6-3).
Conclusion: As everyone knows the NFL is tough to predict, this season more than any. The Ravens will need to go 4-2 to assure themselves a spot in the post-season dance. Anything less than that will most likely have them on the outside looking in. However I see them catching fire down the back stretch. A loss appears likely to New Orleans due to Drew Brees’ performance when the temperature is controlled, but Miami doesn’t possess the hostile environment that would scare most teams and the Texans are in the midst of quarterback issues. All three remaining home games are winnable and it’s hard to imagine a scenario where the Ravens would lose at home to Cleveland if a playoff spot were on the line. So I’ll say it now – the Ravens are in.
Matt has lived in Maryland his entire life and is a graduate of Calvert Hall and Towson University. has always been an avid Baltimore sports fan. Since 2007, he has been writing and talking about Baltimore sports, especially the Ravens. His work has appeared on Ravens Gab, Russell Street Report, and he currently co-hosts a podcast “The Blitz- A Ravens podcast” with Brent Harris.