BALTIMORE — The Ravens clinched a playoff berth Saturday, relying on their defense and ground game to hold off the Atlanta Falcons, 17-9.
Led by running back Gus Edwards (11 carries for 99 yards), the Ravens rushed 34 times for 184 yards (5.4 per carry). A 5-yard plunge by Edwards for a first down with just under two minutes remaining extinguished Atlanta’s hopes inside a frigid M&T Bank Stadium. It was just 17 degrees at kickoff, the coldest weather for a Ravens home game in franchise history.
After missing the postseason last year, the Ravens (10-5) clinched a playoff berth with the victory and some outside help. After the Jacksonville Jaguars beat the New York Jets on Thursday, the Ravens needed only a loss Saturday by the New England Patriots to the Cincinnati Bengals or a loss Sunday by the Miami Dolphins to the Green Bay Packers to punch their ticket. The Bengals obliged, holding off a late Patriots rally for a 22-18 win to maintain their one-game lead in the AFC North.
