1. Baltimore Ravens
When the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens square off in two weeks, it could very well determine who wins the AFC North and as a result, who goes to the playoffs. The Wild Card is still a possibility but the best way to get into the postseason is winning the division, which is still very much a realistic option for the stripes.
It says a lot about John Harbaugh and the Ravens’ coaching staff that they’re still 8-5, leading the division, and continuing to find a way to win games considering all of the injuries they’ve had thrown at them this year. The latest — and biggest — injury to occur is to Lamar Jackson, who exited midway through Baltimore’s week 14 loss to Cleveland.
Jackson did not practice on Wednesday and there’s a realistic chance he doesn’t suit up and play when the Ravens face the Packers this Sunday. Baltimore has a brutal schedule through the final month of the season and that helps the Bengals out, though their schedule isn’t a cake walk either.
If Jackson doesn’t play on Sunday, the Ravens will have a tough time beating the Packers. If Baltimore does indeed lose to Green Bay and the Bengals take down the Broncos, week 16’s matchup will be even more massive.
These three teams stand in Cincinnati’s way of making the playoffs for the first time since the 2015 season.