The Ravens’ mission to defy the odds and make the playoffs despite their brutal 1–5 start to the season is right on schedule.
Behind four touchdown passes from two-time MVP Lamar Jackson in his first game back and 119 rushing yards from Derrick Henry, Baltimore cruised to a 28–6 win over the Dolphins on Thursday night at Hard Rock Stadium.
With their second win in five days, the Ravens improved to 3–5, moving up into a tie for second place in the AFC North with the rival Bengals. Baltimore is now just one win behind the first-place Steelers (4–3), who host the 7–1 Colts on Sunday.
According to NFL.com, the Ravens’ probability to make the playoffs significantly jumped to 60% with the win. Had they lost to Miami, that percentage would have fallen to 37%. The Ravens are now just two wins behind the Chiefs (5–3) for the AFC’s final playoff spot.
The Dolphins, meanwhile, fall to 2–7 while their playoff probability sits at 1%. Had Miami won and improved to 3–6, that number would have slightly risen to 3%.
Following the Ravens’ win Thursday night, here’s how the NFL playoff picture looks heading into the weekend (Note: all playoff odds are provided by NFL.com):
|
SEED |
TEAM |
PLAYOFF % |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Colts (7–1) |
95% |
|
2 |
Patriots (6–2) |
86% |
|
3 |
Broncos (6–2) |
79% |
|
4 |
Steelers (4–3) |
50% |
|
5 |
Bills (5–2) |
88% |
|
6 |
Chargers (5–3) |
69% |
|
7 |
Chiefs (5–3) |
82% |
|
— |
— |
— |
|
8 |
Jaguars (4–3) |
43% |
|
9 |
Texans (3–4) |
40% |
|
10 |
Bengals (3–5) |
6% |
|
11 |
Ravens (3–5) |
60% |
|
12 |
Raiders (2–5) |
2% |
|
13 |
Browns (2–6) |
3% |
|
14 |
Dolphins (2–7) |
1% |
|
15 |
Jets (1–7) |
1% |
|
16 |
Titans (1–7) |
1% |
|
SEED |
TEAM |
PLAYOFF % |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Packers (5–1–1) |
93% |
|
2 |
Eagles (6–2) |
92% |
|
3 |
Buccaneers (6–2) |
91% |
|
4 |
Seahawks (5–2) |
83% |
|
5 |
Lions (5–2) |
84% |
|
6 |
Rams (5–2) |
91% |
|
7 |
49ers (5–3) |
71% |
|
— |
— |
— |
|
8 |
Bears (4–3) |
27% |
|
9 |
Panthers (4–4) |
14% |
|
10 |
Cowboys (3–4–1) |
14% |
|
11 |
Falcons (3–4) |
19% |
|
12 |
Vikings (3–4) |
10% |
|
13 |
Commanders (3–5) |
13% |
|
14 |
Cardinals (2–5) |
3% |
|
15 |
Giants (2–6) |
2% |
|
16 |
Saints (1–7) |
1% |
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