With just three games left on the schedule, the Baltimore Ravens are officially in must-win territory. Sitting at 7-7 and chasing the 8-6 Pittsburgh Steelers atop the AFC North, the margin for error has all but disappeared.
The division is still within reach, but the road to get there? It’s steep, it’s narrow, and it’s lined with some serious competition.
Let’s cut to the chase: Week 18 against the Steelers could decide everything - the division title, playoff seeding, maybe even a postseason berth. But as head coach John Harbaugh made clear this week, none of that matters if the Ravens don’t handle business first.
“Bottom line is we got to take care of our business,” Harbaugh said. “We understand that.
So, not sitting there on pins and needles. You just assume that you got to take care of your business.
It would be a stretch for us not to have to win out. So, we'll plan on that, and that's what we're going to have to try to do.”
That’s not coach-speak - it’s reality. The Ravens’ path to the playoffs is straightforward: win out, or risk being left out.
A Brutal Stretch Ahead
Of course, winning three straight in the NFL is no small feat, and for Baltimore, the gauntlet starts now. First up is a home matchup against a New England Patriots team that’s coming off a loss to the Buffalo Bills. Don’t let the Patriots’ record fool you - they’re still a well-coached, physical team that can make life miserable for opposing offenses.
Then comes a trip to face the Green Bay Packers, who’ve been one of the league’s toughest outs this season. That’s followed by the potential winner-take-all showdown with Pittsburgh in Week 18.
So, to even have a shot at the division crown, the Ravens will need to take down two of the league’s most battle-tested teams in back-to-back weeks, then handle their fiercest rival in a game that could define their season.
No pressure, right?
Time to Peak
The good news? The Ravens don’t need help from the rest of the league.
Their fate is in their own hands. But that also means there’s no room for slip-ups.
If they want to punch their playoff ticket and potentially steal the AFC North, they’ll need to play their best football of the year - starting now.
Execution, discipline, and consistency will be key. The margin is razor-thin, but the opportunity is right there.
The Ravens have been here before under Harbaugh - tight playoff races, backs against the wall. And more often than not, they’ve found a way to respond.
Now, with the season on the line, they’ll need to do it again.