NFL Power Rankings Roundup: Ravens Making a Run at the Top Spot

The Baltimore Ravens blew out the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday 49-13. The Ravens were firing on all cylinders scoring two defensive touchdowns, while Lamar Jackson recorded 3 passing touchdowns and an incredible 47-yard rushing touchdown. Now with five straight wins, the Ravens are making their case for the top spot.

ESPN's power rankings moved them up to number 3 this week. They called this Sunday's game against the Texans “their most important game left”.

A win over the Texans could prove huge for a Ravens team looking to secure a first-round bye for first time since 2011. Baltimore, which is one game ahead of Houston for that No. 2 seed, can extend its lead over the Texans and grab hold of the head-to-head tiebreaker. A loss would bump the Ravens out of that No. 2 spot with six games remaining and give the Texans the inside track to one of those first-round byes. -- Jamison Hensley

CBS Sports put the Ravens at number 1 after dropping down the 49ers due to their loss to the Seahawks.

They continue to roll up big numbers on offense and the defense is improving by the week. This team is a legitimate contender.

Sports Illustrated put the Ravens at number 2 with three of their voters placing them at the top overall spot. Curiously, one voter had them all the way down at number 6.

Yes, it was against the Bengals, but that takes nothing away from Lamar Jackson’s second perfect passer rating of the season, a feat he achieved in just three quarters. He did so on 15-of-17 passing with 223 yards, 3 TDs, 65 yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown. His last showdown with Deshaun Watson was fantastic, and their first NFL meeting should be more of the same.

Yahoo placed them at number 3 and referenced a tweet that shows how amazing Jackson's season has been.

We’re running out of things to say about Lamar Jackson, but this tweet from Paul Hembekides of ESPN says it all:

NFL.com moved the Ravens up to number 2 and called Jackson “better than peak Vick”.

Sunday’s matchup against the winless Bengals seemed unfair on paper, and it was even crueler in action. Lamar Jackson robbed the Bengals of their agency during another incredible performance in which he finished with a perfect passer rating and delivered his greatest highlight-reel run yet in a 49-13 laugher. The Ravens are knocking on the door for the AFC’s top seed, and it all starts with the 22-year-old under center. “You know how many little kids in this country are going to be wearing No. 8 playing quarterback for the next 20 years?” Ravens coach John Harbaugh rhetorically asked Jackson on the sideline Sunday, after telling him: “You changed the game, man.” Harbaugh’s right: Jackson has changed the game. All the talk comparing the second-year star to Michael Vick has been selling Jackson short this entire time. Jackson is better than peak Vick ... and he’s just getting started.

The Steelers are now over .500 after defeating the Rams and moved up as high as number 12 in this week's rankings. The Browns did not crack the top 20 despite finally picking up a victory. The Bengals are now the consensus last place team placing 32nd in every ranking.

The Ravens will look for their 6th straight win Sunday against the Texans.