Injuries become part of the NFL, but nothing compares to what occurred to the Ravens in the past week. A Covid-ravaged lineup caused Baltimore to limp into their game against the Steelers, and lose in surprisingly close style. There are concerns whether this game should have happened at all. The NFL revealed a greater desire to keep its schedule intact than allowing the Ravens time to get healthy– which might have significant implications for the team’s playoff opportunities.
The NFL’s desire to keep to its schedule required the Ravens to play, in spite of having 21 players on the Covid-reserve list, consisting of 12 beginners and crucial rotational gamers. The decision ensured we would not get a repeat of the astoundingly close match between the teams in Week 7, which saw the Ravens push the unbeaten Steelers to the limit, before eventually losing 28-24
In spite of being without Lamar Jackson, key defensive players, and starting running back Mark Ingram, the Ravens only lost by 5 points to the best group in the NFL.
What video games do the Ravens have remaining?
Undoubtedly the easiest staying schedule in the NFL, the Ravens have at least four of their final 5 games which need to be wins– presuming the team does not have further injuries due to Covid.
If the Ravens have to bring as lots of injuries into this one as they did vs. Pittsburgh there’s an outdoors chance Dallas could win, however thinking about how close they played the Steelers– this need to be a win.
Record: 7-5
The Browns are playing exceptionally gutsy football, and while it’s not always quite, it’s proven to be reliable. If both teams were at complete strength this would be a hell of a game, however at best Baltimore will still be recuperating from Covid and getting back to fill strength.
Record: 7-6
Fortunately in Week 15 things get a little easier. The Jaguars have been a mess this season and injuries have contributed to another frustrating season in Jacksonville. At this point we can (ideally) anticipate the Ravens to be back to complete strength, making this game academic.
Record: 8-6
In the penultimate week of the season the schedule stays favorable, this time playing host to the New York Giants Now, the Giants have been on an unlikely tear, but that must concern an end against the Ravens. Both teams will have a great deal of play for, trying to push into the playoffs– but at the end of the day the Ravens are just too skilled.
Record: 9-6
Now this should be another easy win for the Ravens, ending up out their season strong.
Record 10 -6
Will a 10 -6 record be excellent enough for the playoffs?
There are 2 factors at play this season. First of all it’s that there’s a broad disparity in between the good groups, and bad in the NFL this year– causing outstanding records among the top teams, and second of all that this is a strange seven-team-in system this year.
As it stands there are 4 teams to enjoy when it concerns Baltimore’s playoff chances.
- Browns (8-3)
- Dolphins(7-4)
- Colts (7-4)
- Raiders (6-5)
Based on the remaining schedules, here’s my projections for how these teams will wind up:
Browns (11 -5)
Colts (11 -5)
Dolphins (10 -6)
Raiders (9-7)
In this situation the Browns and Colts would be in, the Raiders out– and the battle for the important last place coming down to a tiebreaker between the Ravens and Dolphins. Both teams are currently 2-2, with 2 games left to play.
Now we transfer to the 3rd tiebreaker, win/loss in typical games. The Dolphins beat the Jaguars, and I have the Ravens projected to win. Miami lost to the Patriots, and I have them winning the second video game. While Baltimore played New England as soon as, and lost. The Ravens lost to the Chiefs, and I have the Dolphins losing to them. Baltimore beat the Bengals, and I think will beat them once again– while Miami will play Cincinnati this weekend, which I have them winning.
Considering these forecasts the Dolphins would be in the playoffs with a 7-5 conference record, while the Ravens would be out with a 6-6 conference record.
If you’re keeping score that implies that when this all shakes out, the Pittsburgh game on Wednesday was a huge difference maker. Not just did it stop the Ravens from possibly achieving an 11 -5 record and getting in, however also in theory connecting the 7-5 conference record (if other video games move a little) and moving us to the fifth tiebreaker, strength of success, which would have gotten Baltimore in.
Sure, this is a lot of forecast and uncertainty– but it’s entirely possible that the distinction maker in Baltimore’s playoff possibilities was this single, Covid-ravaged video game, made all the difference. That would be the height of unfairness.
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