Pundit Says Ravens Would Be Better Off As Wild-Card Team Than AFC North Champions
The Ravens will win the AFC North title with a win over the Cleveland Browns or a Pittsburgh Steelers loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday, however ESPN’s Dan Graziano believes Baltimore can be higher off as a wild-card workforce.
Graziano famous that there’s a good likelihood the Ravens would host the surging Los Angeles Chargers within the first spherical of the playoffs if they’re division champions, whereas they might play on the struggling Houston Texans if they’re a wild card.
“Houston is leaking oil proper now and might be as susceptible as any workforce – at house or on the highway –- within the wild-card spherical of the playoffs,” Graziano wrote. “A loss subsequent week in Tennessee (which is feasible, because the Texans are locked into the No. 4 seed and will relaxation their starters), and we’re a 9-8 AFC South champ coming off three straight losses (and 4 in its previous six). The Texans’ solely win in opposition to a workforce with a profitable report all season got here in Week 5 in opposition to the Bills. They are also lacking two of their prime three receivers in Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell, and their offense is sputtering.
“The Chargers, in the meantime, simply obtained prime operating again (and former Raven!) J.Ok. Dobbins again and are using some critically constructive vibes into the postseason. Whichever workforce – Baltimore or Pittsburgh – finally ends up not profitable the division might be getting a very nice first-round comfort prize with a matchup in opposition to Houston.”
The Ravens (11-5) routed the Texans (9-7), 31-2, in Houston on Christmas. Their 30-23 win over the host Chargers (10-6) in HarBowl III in Week 12 was rather more aggressive. Dobbins exited that sport with a knee damage within the second quarter after speeding for 40 yards on six carries and didn’t return.
There’s additionally an opportunity the Ravens may host Pittsburgh (10-6) within the first spherical. That would occur if the Steelers lose to the visiting Bengals and the Chargers beat the host Las Vegas Raiders.
Regardless of which workforce they find yourself taking part in, the Ravens are battle-tested and seem like peaking on the proper time. Baltimore might be gunning for the AFC North title Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at M&T Bank Stadium.
