The Baltimore Ravens and playoff football, two terms that weren't in the same sentence just a few weeks ago, but they are now.
After a three-game winning streak that has seen Lamar Jackson return, the defense pick up its form, and the Ravens, now at 4-5, just one game behind the Pittsburgh Steelers for the division lead, yeah, playoffs are on the mind.
After a 1-5 start, the Ravens, for most, were dead in the water when it came to their playoff hopes, but now? They are nearly assured of making it, provided they keep this level of play up.
Per ESPN, the Ravens' chances of making the postseason are now at an eye-opening 64.1 percent, which is ridiculous.
But that is the power of having Lamar back in the lineup. He makes everything go -- including his team to the postseason.
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Ravens odds on for postseason berth
Given where the Ravens were a few weeks ago, to now be in with a superb chance of making the playoffs, that is a credit to the coaching staff and locker room.
But the job isn't done, and the small matter of five division games remains, and one would think that Baltimore would need to nearly sweep those five games to be assured of its spot in the tournament.
ESPN also has the Ravens' chances of winning the division at 61. 9 percent, so the Ravens have a better chance of making the playoffs than they do winning the AFC North. That is odd.
Either way, the Ravens, after a 1-5 start, have nearly dug themselves out of that colossal hole, and now they nearly control their own destiny.
A postseason berth awaits.
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