On the back of a 9-3 record, the Baltimore Ravens enter their Week 13 bye week as the No. 1 seed in the AFC with six weeks remaining in the regular season. The Ravens put together another gritty performance on the road Sunday night, topping the Los Angeles Chargers 20-10.
With the win the Ravens sit a game and a half ahead in the AFC North standings and are one up in the win column over the three other AFC division leaders who are all 8-3. Despite the solid record, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh preached postgame that there was more work to be done for Baltimore.
“We were going to go to this point until we had the opportunity to get a bye. We wanted to be the very best team we could be. I think we’re becoming what we’re capable of becoming but it’s not over yet,” Harbaugh said, via Jamison Hensley. “We have a lot of work to do. Guys are going to get a little time and get back next Monday ready to come out of the gates for the final part of the season.”
Are the Ravens the team to beat in the AFC?
As the season enters a crucial point, the Ravens are guaranteed to be in the lead in the AFC North and at least be tied for the one seed in the AFC with five weeks left. That puts Baltimore in a phenomenal position to control its own destiny and secure the top seed in the AFC.
The Ravens haven’t been the No. 1 seed since 2019 when they went 14-2 and quarterback Lamar Jackson won MVP. Baltimore failed to win a playoff game that year, losing to the Tennessee Titans at home 28-12. That would lead many to believe that the Ravens shouldn’t be feared in the postseason.
It's hard to truly determine a team's barometer when it's been so poor in the playoffs despite ample regular-season success. The Ravens are 1-3 with Jackson under center in the playoffs, calling into question the QB's ability to perform under pressure and in the moment.
Even if their offense has looked pedestrian at times, the Kansas City Chiefs should still be a team no one wants to face in the playoffs. It could be easier against them at home, which Baltimore would be should it secure the one seed and meet Kansas City in late January.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are also a viable pick to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl this season though they have several bad losses. The Miami Dolphins are the other division leader in the conference and would be tough to compete with on any stage if their offense is clicking.
Though they are currently the one seed, the Ravens can’t be crowned the definitive team to beat in the AFC, though fans can feel free to call them so. When push comes to shove, Baltimore hasn’t proven it on the big stage, though they certainly look capable of changing that this season.
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