At 8-5, the Baltimore Ravens are two behind the AFC North division, leading 9-3 Pittsburgh Steelers in the loss column. However, they’re only one behind their arch-rivals in the win column.
While it will be challenging, the division title is still there for the taking. Let’s first look at what remains on the schedule for both teams.
Ravens remaining schedule:
BYE
@ NYG
vs. PIT
@ HOU
vs. CLESteeler remaining schedule:
vs. CLE
@ PHI
@ BAL
vs. KC
vs. CINThe division race is still on. pic.twitter.com/7WKBOTwPtN
— 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯 (@justinbtw_) December 2, 2024
It almost goes without saying, but that Sat. December 21st home date with the Steelers is a must-win. You can pretty much label that meeting the AFC North division title game.
You can also just go ahead and state it bluntly—Baltimore needs to win out. They simply need to run the table and get some help. Obviously, there are numerous permutations of results that would see the Ravens end up on top, but the most logical, natural path would require the Steelers to lose two more games in addition to their visit to The Bank.
The divisional tie-breakers work like this: first, head-to-head meetings, then divisional record, then record vs. common opponents. Pittsburgh currently has a 2-1 record against the AFC North, while Baltimore is 2-2.
When it comes to common opponents (the other two teams in the division, plus Dallas, Denver, L.A. Chargers, Washington, and Las Vegas), the Ravens have an advantage on the Steel Curtain. Baltimore is 6-2 against common opponents, while Pittsburgh is 5-2.
You can see how much the home-opening loss to the Raiders truly hurts right now. The most likely path would see the Steelers losing at the 10-2 Philadelphia Eagles and at home to the defending Super Bowl champion and 11-1 Kansas City Chiefs.
