ESPN analyst outlines Ravens' clear playoff path at 5-5

Adam Schultz

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ESPN analyst outlines Ravens' clear playoff path at 5-5 image

 The Baltimore Ravens have done a lot of heavy lifting to get themselves back to where they aren't only a chance at the playoffs and the AFC North, but a genuine chance.

At 5-5, the Ravens have also been aided by the Pittsburgh Steelers stumbling to be 6-4, after being 4-1 at one stage earlier in the season.

But with Baltimore still having four division games left on the schedule, two of which are against the Steelers, John Harbaugh's team is very much in the mix for a playoff spot, something that was thought impossible a few weeks ago.

And for ESPN's Jamison Hensley, when asked what the Ravens have to do to make the postseason, it's a rather simple answer.

"Lamar Jackson and Baltimore need to continue to take care of business in the AFC North," Hensley wrote. "Four of the Ravens' final six games are against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals. Since the start of the 2022 campaign, Jackson is 7-2 (.778), including the playoffs, against Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, totaling 19 touchdown passes and four interceptions."

More: Ravens' Lamar Jackson reveals need for O-Line talk after eye-popping sack numbers

Ravens' playoff path tied to AFC North

As it stands right now, Baltimore is way back in the pecking order for a playoff spot with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans in front of it, plus the Chiefs own the tie-breaker as well.

So, the easiest path to yet another playoff spot is to go through as a division champ.

That means the Ravens have to take care of business outside of the division, and in those two games against Pittsburgh, win both, and move forward as division leaders.

Sounds simple enough. But the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers are still on the schedule as well, so the Ravens do face a tough time of it in the second half of the season.

But the path forward is simple. Win as many games as possible, while slaying the Steelers in the process.

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Contributing Writer