Here’s how Lamar Jackson and the Ravens make the playoffs, and what seeds they could draw.
Lamar Jackson and the Ravens boast one of the best teams in the AFC. However, due to some issues with COVID-19 mid-season, and an extra wildcard playoff spot being available, this year’s seeding scenarios are even more difficult to follow.
Here’s how things could play out for Lamar Jackson in the AFC wildcard picture on Sunday.
How Baltimore gets in:
A win against Cincinnati
It’s that simple. Baltimore controls its own destiny, and a win against Cincinnati would lock in a spot in the playoffs.
A loss by Cleveland
Cleveland found itself in the driver’s seat last week. However, with nearly its entire wide receiver core out due to COVID-19 protocol, the Browns fell to the Jets, putting them on the outside of the playoff picture looking in.
With that said, this can all be remedied for the Browns if they simply win on Sunday.
If you’re a Ravens/ Lamar Jackson fan, however, the Browns losing gives you some insurance.
A loss by Indianapolis
As does a loss by Indianapolis, who hosts Jacksonville on Sunday.
A Jacksonville win seems about as unlikely as a Cleveland loss to the Jets last week. But, alas, it’s week 17 of one of the wildest years on record, so you can’t rule anything out.
A tie AND a loss by Miami/ Tennessee OR A tie AND tie by Cleveland/ Indianapolis
Want to get really freaky? What if the Ravens TIE with Cincinnati. They can still get in, anyways. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.
Baltimore seeding scenarios
It would not be worth your time, nor mine, to write out every single scenario that could play out and how it effects Baltimore’s seeding. There are technically seven teams trying to fight for a seat at a table with six chairs. Kansas City has the one seed locked up, but every other team can move up or down based on their success and the success of their division opponents.
For Baltimore, they can get as high as a five seed with a win and a loss by the Dolphins.
The Ravens appear most likely destined for a six seed if they win and the Dolphins win. Be that the case, there are 12 different scenarios that would match the Ravens up with the two seed next weekend.
Finally, Baltimore could still lose and get in with a seven seed. Though highly unlikely, if Baltimore loses, Miami wins and at least one of Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, or Houston wins, the Ravens would wind up in but with the seventh seed.
In order for the Ravens to miss the playoffs altogether, one of these four scenarios must play out.
- Ravens loss, Dolphins win, Browns win, Titans win, Colts win
- Ravens loss, Dolphins win, Browns win, Texans win, Colts win
- Ravens loss, Bills win, Browns win, Titans win, Colts win
- Ravens loss, Bills win, Browns win, Texans win, Colts win
Got it all? Good, see you Sunday night and we will break it all down.
