One of the more interesting teams in the playoff picture has to be the Baltimore Ravens.
Ever since Lamar Jackson has taken over at quarterback the Ravens are 4-1 with the one loss coming in overtime against the AFC’s current No. 1 seed, the Kansas City Chiefs.
Baltimore already had one of the better defenses in the NFL, but since Jackson has become the starter the offense has gone from averaging 23.67 points per game to 25.6 points per game.
Will the Baltimore Ravens qualify for 2018-19 NFL Playoffs?
Yes +120
No -160
The Ravens are in:
The Ravens defense is back to form from the days of Ray Lewis.
Baltimore is first in the NFL in points per game allowed (18.1) and yards per game (290.2) and third in passing yards allowed per game (202.6) and rushing yards allowed per game (87.6).
Now pair that with a unique offensive attack with Jackson behind center and Gus Edwards emerging alongside Jackson.
Currently the Ravens are holding onto that final seed in the AFC with Tennessee, Indianapolis and Miami nipping at their heels. But the Ravens could have their sights set on more than one of the final two Wild Card spots.
Baltimore is right behind the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Pittsburgh must travel to the New Orleans Saints this week.
The Ravens have no easy task this week either as they travel to play a surging Los Angeles Chargers team, but if anyone has seen a home Chargers game this year they know that’s no home field advantage. There will be a lot of purple in the stands when Baltimore comes to town.
In Week 17 the Ravens return home to take on the Cleveland Browns. That will be a tough game for Baker Mayfield and the Browns, especially if Baltimore is playing for its playoff life.
The Ravens are out:
Can Jackson keep this up?
His 4-1 start has been great, no question, but they came against the five teams who average the most points allowed per game. Now he leads Baltimore against a Chargers team that ranks ninth in points per game allowed and rushing yards allowed and eighth in yards allowed and passing yards per game.
It’s a sneaky good defense for Los Angeles because the offense is so powerful led by quarterback and MVP candidate Philip Rivers.
While going up against LA’s defense is hard enough, the Chargers make teams play keep up with their offense. Can Jackson play keep up while not turning the ball over?
If the Ravens fall to the Chargers, they’ll need some help to get into the playoffs.
And it’s not likely they’ll get it.
The Dolphins host Jacksonville and travel to Buffalo while the Titans host Washington and then Indianapolis in a big Week 17 matchup after the Colts host the New York Giants this weekend.
A Baltimore loss paired with likely wins by the Titans and Colts in Week 16 means the Ravens would need to not only beat Cleveland, but have Cincinnati win in Pittsburgh to get in via winning the AFC North.
Prediction
It’s really tough to bet against the Chargers right now, which means you’re also betting against the Ravens.
Jackson is facing a tall task this week, the likes of which he hasn’t seen yet and while Baltimore’s defense is great, Los Angeles’ offense is right rolling with Rivers leading the way.
Maybe in Week 17 the Ravens get some help from the Bengals who knocked them out in unlikely fashion last year, but don’t count on it.
