The Baltimore Ravens are nearly all the way back after a horror 1-5 start, to where now at 4-5, the franchise is in good shape to not only make the postseason, but do it as division champs.
Just one game behind the 5-4 Pittsburgh Steelers, who Baltimore still has to play twice, with Mike Tomlin's team in free fall thanks to an offense that can't do much of anything, the Ravens smell blood in the water.
The Steelers were odds-on for the division a few weeks ago, but three losses in their last four games, coupled with the Ravens on a three-game winning streak, have turned the tide.
And for ESPN's Jamison Hensley, the second-half goal for Baltimore should be a third straight division crown.
"This seemed unrealistic after a 1-5 start," Hensley wrote. "But the Ravens, who have five division games remaining, are set for a strong finish as long as Jackson stays healthy. Jackson is 21-9 (.700) in his career against the AFC North, averaging 28.3 points per game. The defense has been inconsistent, but Jackson has proven he can carry a team to the top of the division.
"Jackson's four AFC North titles rank behind only Ben Roethlisberger's eight."
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Ravens again favorite for AFC North
Even at 1-5, there were those who were confident in Baltimore's ability to overtake the Steelers for the division, and now it feels like a formality.
ESPN has the Ravens' division odds at 61.9 percent, while Pittsburgh's is just 32.7 percent, which shows you where the confidence is, and where it isn't. Yikes.
So, it appears the smart money is on the Ravens to continue on their merry way, while the Steelers falter and collapse after a good start to the season with Aaron Rodgers.
As long as Jackson stays healthy, it seems like a formality that the Ravens will punch their ticket to the playoffs, and it will be, once again, as division champs.
Who would have thought that a few weeks ago?
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