The AFC playoff picture still has the Ravens likely in but winning the AFC North will be harder after losing to the Browns, who kept their slim hopes alive.
Saturday’s game between the Browns and Ravens had AFC playoff implications like pretty much every other game of this potentially pivotal weekend of NFL action.
These are the weekends when winning matters most, and losing can cost you the playoffs.
For the Browns, that’s a bit more of a stretch to say than others. Their chances of making it into the postseason are slim, even if they were to win out. However, a loss would have eliminated them officially.
So their 13-3 victory over the Ravens did mean something to them, even if it may not matter in the end.
That outcome was more costly to Baltimore, who dropped from the lead in the AFC North because of the loss.
Updated AFC North standings after Browns beat Ravens
- Cincinnati Bengals (9-4)
- Baltimore Ravens (9-5)
- Cleveland Browns (6-8)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (5-8)
The Bengals now have the edge in the division, though they still need to hold up their end of the bargain on Sunday against the Bucs.
Losing to the Browns dumped the Ravens down to the No. 5 seed in the overall AFC standings.
Updated AFC standings after the Ravens loss
- Buffalo Bills (10-3)
- Kansas City Chiefs (10-3)
- Cincinnati Bengals (9-4)
- Tennessee Titans (7-6)
- Baltimore Ravens (9-5)
- Miami Dolphins (8-5)
- New England Patriots (7-6)
Left out:
- Los Angeles Chargeers (7-6)
- New York Jets (7-6)
- Cleveland Browns (6-8)
While they wait for Lamar Jackson to get healthy, the Ravens don’t have to worry too hard about making the playoffs. It would take a nuclear scenario for them to fall out but the results of their final few games will determine their standing in the conference and that could be key.
Baltimore will get the Falcons on Christmas Eve then the Steelers on New Year’s Day. They will finish the regular season with a matchup against the Bengals with the division potentially on the line.
The Browns just have to keep winning to have any say in the playoff discussion. They will take on the Saints next week, then the Commanders and Steelers to end the campaign.