Baltimore Ravens Rival Pittsburgh Steelers Playoff Hopes Collapsing; Cincinnati Bengals Win Again
As the Baltimore Ravens are preparing for a Sunday night matchup with the AFC South-leading Jacksonville Jaguars, two AFC North division foes were in action on Saturday playing in games that could affect the standings.
The Bengals beat the Vikings in overtime and moved to 8-6 in what was once thought to be a lost season after the Joe Burrow injury. It was Cincinnati's third win in a row after losing its previous three and falling out of the playoff picture.
Jake Browning, Lamar Jackson, Kenny Pickett (L-R)
The Bengals rallied from 14 down in the second half with 21 fourth-quarter points to edge the Vikings in the extra frame. The offense doesn't seem to have missed a beat with Jake Browning under center, but it will now lose receiver Ja'Marr Chase who suffered a shoulder injury.
The Steelers were also in action on Saturday with playoff hopes already circling the drain. Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky threw two interceptions and was ultimately benched for Mason Rudolph late in the 30-13 road loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
At 7-7, Pittsburgh falls farther behind in the playoff picture and sits in last place in the AFC North.
The AFC playoff picture is led by the Ravens as the current No. 1 seed, and the goal for Baltimore is clear. With remaining games against Jacksonville, San Francisco, Miami and Pittsburgh, the No. 1 seed in well within reach. If the Ravens keep winning, it's theirs. The biggest test will come Christmas Day as they travel all the way across the country to Santa Clara to take on the NFC-leading 49ers. San Francisco has already clinched a spot in the NFC postseason.
Current playoff standings:
1. Ravens 10-3
2. Miami Dolphins 9-4
3. Kansas City Chiefs 8-5
4. Jacksonville Jaguars 8-5
5. Cleveland Browns 8-5
6. Cincinnati Bengals 8-6
7. Indianapolis Colts 8-6
On the bubble:
8. Houston Texans 7-6
9. Denver Broncos 7-6
10. Buffalo Bills 7-6
