Alright Bill, what scenario do we need to win the division? I know if we tie with the Steelers it goes to head/head, then division record. Then it goes to common apponent. So who has the tie breaker with common apponent if we win out and tie with Steelers at 12-4?
--------------------------------------------------
Ravens,
I did some rough math on this, and I stand corrected if someone counts it up differently but I believe in your scenario the two also tie on common opponents and the Steelers win the fourth tiebreaker, the conference record.
-- Bill O.

Oakland beating New England is like wishing for a pony for Christmas. Detroit beating Indy? That's like wishing for a pony WITH WINGS for Christmas.

Actually, the Ravens are a pretty safe bet for the #6 wild card spot. If we're going to root for any AFC East team, it should be the Jets. Our victory over Miami and New England's poor conference record (5-5) will probably give us the edge over them. The Jets' conference record isn't much better (6-4), but it's still only a game behind ours. I think the worst we finish in the conference is 8-4, which should be good enough to hold off all of those teams.

The AFC North division championship race is more intriguing. If we catch Pittsburgh at 11-5 (we win both home games, lose at Dallas; they lose to us and Tennessee, beat Cleveland) the tiebreaker comes down to strength of victory. In this case, we need to root for Miami, Oakland, and Philadelphia, and against New England, San Diego, and Dallas (these would be our only uncommon victories). They have a 2.5-game edge right now (thanks to Philly's tie).

If we catch Pittsburgh at 12-4 (we win out, they win out besides our game), they actually get the tiebreaker based on conference record (10-2 to 9-3).

In the end, we will most likely have to win out and hope Pittsburgh loses at Tennessee to take the division. The funny thing is, the Ravens will probably end up with either a #2 seed or a #6 seed.
-----------------------------------------------------
Mike,
Your last point is a good one.
From wildcard to home with a bye.
What a swing.
-- Bill O.

I am not thoroughly versed on tie-breakers, but if the Ravens win out, then any matchup with the Colts during the playoffs would be here, right? Even though we would have a tie record, we get home field advantage because of winning our division. Is that right?
-------------------------------------------------
Yes, if the Ravens are a division winner and the Colts are a wildcard, regardless of records or anything else, Baltimore gets the home game.
-- Bill O.

You kno I was wondering if we own the tiebreaker over all AFC east teams cuz if so then all we need is one win and a loss from NE because the Jets and dolphins have to play each other leaving one of them at 10-6 and the other winning the division... While the Ravens and NE and the loser of NY/Mia would be 10-6 putting us in with tiebreakers

So if the ravens have tie breakers over the Pats and dolphins shouldnt we be rooting for the jets to win the division?!
-----------------------------------------------
Dave,
Makes sense.
-- Bill O.

If we beat the Steelers this coming - does that put us ahead of them or do they hold the tie breaker?

Add Hou over Tennesse on that list....if the Ravens are gonna win the division (and be the 2 seed), they need a reason for Tennessee to be interested week 16 at home to Pittsburgh...Tennessee clinches top seed with their win this week and a Raven win...
---------------------------------------------------
Cully,
Exactly.
-- Bill O.

How compelling is football? With three games left, the Ravens could go anywhere from the a bye with the second seed to missing the playoffs altogther.

If the Ravens beat the Steelers this week and then remain tied with the Steelers by season end, who wins the division via the tie breaker system?
--------------------------------------------
Eagle,
Comes down to common opponents.
-- Bill O.

Forget the Division - Even if we beat the Steelers, and I believe we will, that will hand TEN the home field advantage throught the playoffs. They will not play the starters and PIT will beat them, and that will give them the tie breaker.

The question I have is whether there is any scenario where we don't get the wild card if we finish 11-5.
---------------------------------------------
Sonny,

The Ravens at 11 wins have the WC tiebreaker over Miami and New England. Against the Jets, it depends on which two the Ravens win to get to 11. If the Ravens take the two AFC games, then they have the conference tiebreaker even if the Jets run the table. Again, I will stand corrected on this one but I think there's a scenario where if the Ravens were to lose one of two AFC games it could come down to the fourth tiebreaker, strength of victory, against the Jets.
-- Bill O.

correct me if im wrong..but with a ravens win this week, and a patriots loss, we would clinch a playoff birth correct? this is considering that the jets and dolphins play eachother in a few weeks, so one must lose, putting them out of the wildcard hunt.
-----------------------------------------------------
Drew,
There is the possibility that the Ravens could win this Sunday and still finish 10-6. The Dolphins and Jets could arrive at Game 16 and tie to be 10-5-1. Slim chance, I know, but they would have to close the Hanover Street bridge.
-- Bill O.

I love this time of year, it's fun to sit back and read and listen to all the stuff that has to happen to have a team make the playoff's in the NFL. it's like last year when we were horrible people still said if the Patirots lose to the giants, and the steelers beat the seahawks plus and Orioles win over the Yankees that should get us into the wild card. However, if the Rays beat the royals and the eagles beat Jeff Gordon then we have no shot.
------------------------------------------
Derek,
Did it help that Michelle Wie qualified for her tour card.
-- Bill O.

If we win the remaining 3 games, we WILL make the playoffs. That's all the team needs to concern themselves with, not trying to figure out different scenarios. As we saw in 2006, a good record and a bye doesn't equate to playoff success. I would argue that your strength of schedule in the last few games of the regular season determines your playoff success. This is why I am excited for the ravens.

Think of this: who did the giants play near the tail end of the season last year that gave them supreme confidence going into the playoffs?
-----------------------------------------
Not to mention the super glue on David Tyree's helmet. Just kidding, I know what you mean.
-- Bill O.

I know i'm probably gonna get alot of flack for this but i really don't care about who needs to beat who or tie breakers and all that...i just want the ravens to keep winning...basically if they win they are in...and nobody wants to face their defense in the playoffs...i love the teams approach of one game at a time...because if they start looking towards the future they are gonna forget about the now

I don't know you but there is no team I would rather the Ravens play in the playoffs than the Colts. We just do not seem to match up well with them. I can't remember the last time the Ravens beat a Colts team led by Peyton Manning anytime of the year.

For me, I think the ideal scenario for the Ravens is to wind up as the #6 seed and Tennessee as the #1 seed. We would then avoid facing the Steelers or Colts until the AFC Championship game.

The 3 and 4 seeds this year should be fodder for the others--again assuming the Ravens are in at #6. Somebody please correct me if the playoff scenarios I'm assuming are incorrect.

I know there are benefits to having a bye and a home playoff game. Just think I'd actually prefer a road game @ Tennessee in the 2nd round (if we get in as #6), vs. a home game with Indy in the 2nd round (if we wound up getting in as the #2).

I need to preface my thinking with the fact that I'm not a season ticket holder--I'm sure if I was, I'd be rooting for a home playoff game under any circumstances.

Terrific season thus far nonetheless!