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The Baltimore Ravens are not giving up on a postseason run. They don't want to hear about playing for pride, they won't treat any regular season game as a Super Bowl and they won't be thinking about next year. At 4-8, the Ravens are not eliminated from playoff contention, but it is also an obvious long shot for them to make it. There are interesting scenarios that have to happen in order for the Ravens to clinch a playoff spot.
Right now, the AFC Wild Card picture consists of the following teams ahead of the Ravens:
- Kansas City Chiefs (7-5 record)
- New York Jets (7-5 record)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5 record)
- Buffalo Bills (6-6 record)
- Houston Texans (6-6 record)
- Oakland Raiders (5-7 record)
- Miami Dolphins (5-7 record)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (4-8 record they have the advantage over Ravens since they beat the Ravens earlier this season)
Playoff Scenarios for the Ravens where they would clinch a playoff spot with an 8-8 record
1.) For starters, in order for the Ravens to clinch a playoff spot, seven of the eight teams listed above need to finish the season with a 7-9 record or worse while the Ravens end the season with an 8-8 record.
2.) The Ravens would clinch the sixth seed if they go in a three-way tie for sixth best record in AFC at 8-8 with the Steelers and the Chiefs . The Ravens in that scenario would win head to head tiebreakers against the Chiefs and Steelers (3-0 combined on the season).
3.) The Ravens would clinch the sixth and final AFC Wild Card spot with an 8-8 record if they get in a five way tie with the Steelers, Jets, Chiefs and Texans. Again, all five teams have to be tied for the sixth best record in the AFC at 8-8 in order for this to happen.
4.) If there is a four-way tie at 8-8 for the two AFC Wild Card spots between the Ravens, Raiders, Jets, and the Jaguars, the Ravens would clinch a playoff spot and become the fifth seed.
Playoff scenarios where the Ravens would clinch a playoff spot with a 7-9 record
1.) If there is a nine-way tie at 7-9 for the two AFC Wild Card spots between the Ravens, Bills, Chiefs, Raiders, Jets, Steelers, Texans, Dolphins and the Jaguars, the Ravens would clinch a playoff spot.
2.) If there is an eight-way tie at 7-9 for the two AFC Wild Card spots between the Ravens, Bills, Chiefs, Raiders, Jets, Steelers, Texans, and the Dolphins, the Ravens would clinch a playoff spot.
*This is if the Ravens win all three of their remaining games against AFC opponents.*
3.) If there is an six-way tie at 7-9 for the sixth and final AFC Wild Card spot between the Ravens, Chiefs, Raiders, Steelers, Texans, and the Dolphins, the Ravens would clinch a playoff spot.
*This is if the Ravens win all three of their remaining games against AFC opponents.*
Playoff scenarios where the Ravens would be eliminated with an 8-8 record
1.) If there is an eight-way tie at 8-8 for the two AFC Wild Card spots between the Ravens, Bills, Chiefs, Raiders, Jets, Steelers, Texans and the Dolphins, the Ravens would be eliminated.
2.) If there is a seven-way tie at 8-8 for the two AFC Wild Card spots between the Ravens, Bills, Chiefs, Raiders, Jets, Steelers, and the Texans, the Ravens would be eliminated.
3.) If there is a six-way tie at 8-8 for the two AFC Wild Card spots between the Ravens, Chiefs, Bills, Jets, Steelers, and the Texans, the Ravens would be eliminated.
4.) If there is a six-way tie at 8-8 for the two AFC Wild Card spots between the Ravens, Chiefs, Bills, Jets, Steelers, and the Jaguars, the Ravens would be eliminated.
5.) If there is a six-way tie at 8-8 for the two AFC Wild Card spots between the Ravens, Raiders, Bills, Jets, Steelers, and the Jaguars, the Ravens would be eliminated.
6.) If there is a five-way tie at 8-8 for the two AFC Wild Card spots between the Ravens, Raiders, Bills, Jets, and the Jaguars, the Ravens would be eliminated.
7.) If there is a four-way tie at 8-8 for the two AFC Wild Card spots between the Ravens, Raiders, Bills, and the Jaguars, the Ravens would be eliminated.
8.) 7.) If there is a three-way tie at 8-8 for the two AFC Wild Card spots between the Ravens, Raiders, and the Bills, the Ravens would be eliminated.
Overall
These are just a few scenarios for the Ravens in order to make the playoffs. It's highly unlikely for any of these scenarios to happen because the Ravens don't control their own path to the playoffs. They need help and they would need all eight teams that are ahead of them to fall flat down the stretch. Regardless, the Ravens are content with going down swinging if that is the case.
If you want to check out playoff scenarios on your own, you can use ESPN's Playoff Machine.