Ravens' Week 16 prediction nightmare fuel for AFC

Adam Schultz

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Ravens' Week 16 prediction nightmare fuel for AFC image

© Paul Rutherford

The Baltimore Ravens will face the New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football in what is the biggest game of the year for John Harbaugh's team.

With the Pittsburgh Steelers playing earlier in the day against the Detroit Lions, the Ravens could, depending on how that game goes, draw level with the Steelers for the lead in the AFC North.

Conversely, if the Steelers win, the Ravens have to beat the Patriots, which will be a tricky thing to accomplish.

But CBS Sports' Pete Prisco thinks Baltimore has enough juice in the tank to slay New England, picking them to win 30-26.

"The Patriots are coming off a tough loss at home against the Bills and now must head out to play a Ravens team that shut out the Bengals last week," Prisco writes. "The Ravens are also more desperate in the playoff race, which matters. Lamar Jackson wins it as the Patriots drop their second straight."

More: Ravens' Mark Andrews preaching superb mentality vs. Patriots

Why Ravens win is nightmare fuel for AFC

Two of the big AFC hitters are already out of playoff contention: Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow.

Josh Allen appears to be locked into getting a playoff spot either this week or next, and Lamar, he is teetering on the edge.

This means for the first time in recent memory, the AFC playoff field doesn't have Mahomes as its leader and bogeyman, and Lamar could very well be joining him on the couch.

If the Ravens beat New England, not only is that bad for the fellow AFC hopefuls, but it would give Baltimore the sort of confidence that can make it a dangerous team in the last two games.

And the last thing the rest of the AFC wants is a confident and healthy Lamar for the postseason.

Still, it would be great for us neutrals.

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Staff Writer