The Baltimore Ravens didn’t even play a game but moved from OUT to IN in the AFC playoff race. The New England Patriots lost on Thursday night to fall to 4-3, meaning all the 4-2 teams moved up including the formerly eighth-place Ravens. Baltimore now occupies the seventh and final playoff spot in the AFC.
AFC playoff standings following the Patriots’ loss
1. Kansas City Chiefs (5-0)
2. Buffalo Bills (5-1)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2, win over CLE)
4. Cleveland Browns (4-2, 2-0 vs PIT & BAL, loss to JAX)
5. Denver Broncos (4-2, 2-1 AFC)
6. Pittsburgh
Steelers (4-2, loss to CLE, 1-1 AFCN, 2-2 AFC)
7. Baltimore Ravens (4-2, loss to CLE, 0-1 AFCN)
8. Cincinnati Bengals (3-2)
9. New England Patriots (4-3)
10. Las Vegas Raiders (3-3)
11. New York Jets (2-4, 2-1 AFC)
12. Indianapolis Colts (2-4, win over HOU, 1-4 AFC)
13. Houston Texans (2-4, loss to IND)
14. Tennessee Titans (1-5)
15. Miami Dolphins (0-5)
16. Los Angeles Chargers (0-6)
The 4-2 AFC tiebreakers explained
In the 4-2 cluster, the AFC North is ordered first. The Browns are 2-0 against the Steelers and Ravens, so they are in first place. Then the Steelers are 1-1 in the division and ahead of the 0-1 Ravens for that reason.
The 4-2 at the top of the conference is only between the division-leading Jaguars and Browns, and Jacksonville has a win over Cleveland. The Jags are third and the Browns are fourth.
The 4-2 Wild Card teams are the Broncos alongside the Steelers thanks to Pittsburgh’s tiebreaker over Baltimore. AFC record is the first tiebreaker since they haven’t played each other, so the 2-1 Broncos followed by the 2-2 Steelers then the Ravens after that.
AFC North standings right now
1. Cleveland Browns (4-2, wins over PIT & BAL)
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2, 1-1 AFCN)
3. Baltimore Ravens (4-2, 0-1 AFCN)
4. Cincinnati Bengals (3-2)
Obviously with the Ravens facing the Bengals this week, it is an important matchup in the division. The Browns play the Titans while the Steelers are in the early Sunday morning game against the New Orleans Saints.
