Pundit Predicts Ravens Win Out, Cruise to AFC North Crown
The Ravens have won three in a row to claw their way back into the AFC North race, but they still don't have much margin for error over the final eight weeks of the season.
Baltimore (4-5) needs to continue stacking victories to keep the heat on the first-place Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4). NFL.com’s Ali Bhanpuri believes the Ravens will do that. In fact, Bhanpuri, who predicted how every remaining game in the league this season will turn out, doesn't think the Ravens will lose another game.
"Baltimore goes on a heater, including a sweep of the season series with the Steelers, to capture the AFC North crown," Bhanpuri wrote.
Bhanpuri projected the Ravens to be the No. 3 seed in the AFC. He had the Steelers going 3-5 in the second half of the season to finish 8-9.
"The Steelers' losing streak to the rival Ravens reaches four (including playoffs), as Pittsburgh suffers its first losing season under Mike Tomlin, relinquishes its hold on the AFC North and misses the postseason tournament," Bhanpuri wrote.
If Bhanpuri is proved prescient, the 11-game winning streak would be the second-longest in a single regular season in Ravens history. The 2019 Ravens won 12 straight.
ESPN’s Football Power Index also projects the Ravens to win the division. The metric, which is a measure of team strength that is meant to be the best predictor of a team's performance going forward for the rest of the season, gives Baltimore a 62% chance to make the playoffs and 60% chance to win the division, while Pittsburgh is at 41% and 33%, respectively.
ESPN's Rich Eisen acknowledged that there's still a lot of football to be played, but said, "Is there any question the Ravens aren't winning this division?"
Ravens Are Pundit's Pick to Represent AFC in Super Bowl
Yahoo! Sports' Frank Schwab was ahead of the curve, as he predicted the Ravens would win the AFC North three weeks ago when they were 1-5 and three games out of first place.
Now he's picking Baltimore to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.
"This is the year Lamar Jackson cashes in and makes the Super Bowl. I fully believe that," Schwab said. "I believe in Lamar Jackson. I still think Lamar Jackson is the best player in the NFL this year. … I believe in John Harbaugh. I think that defense is showing signs of improvement. They still have Derrick Henry for those cold games."
Eagles Place Jaire Alexander on Reserve/Retired List
The Philadelphia Eagles placed former Ravens cornerback Jaire Alexander on the reserve/retired list Wednesday morning. Alexander is stepping away from football to get himself right physically and mentally before deciding on his future, according to multiple reports.
The Ravens sent the 28-year-old Alexander and a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Eagles for a 2026 sixth-round pick a few days before the Nov. 4 trade deadline.
The trade occurred during the Eagles' bye week. Alexander did not travel with the Eagles for Monday night's game in Green Bay, as he was listed as out due to his knee/coach's decision.
Alexander, a two-time All-Pro with the Packers, signed a one-year deal with the Ravens in June, reportedly worth $4 million, with an additional $2 million in incentives based on playing time.
Alexander, who has an extensive injury history, missed about a month of training camp as he managed the health of his surgically repaired knee. He appeared in two games and was a healthy scratch for the three games prior to the trade.
Ravens-Steelers Week 14 Matchup Ranked Among 10 Most Important Remaining Games
There's a decent chance the Week 14 game between the Ravens and Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium could be for first place. The matchup is No. 4 on CBS Sports’ Garrett Podell’s ranking of the 10 most important remaining games.
"If the Steelers win, they can create some solid separation," Podell wrote. "If the Ravens win, they could take the AFC North lead with an early head-to-head win against the Steelers."
The rivals also square off in the regular-season finale in Pittsburgh.
Should Harbaugh Be in Coach of the Year Conversation?
The players, coaches, and front office have all played a role in the Ravens' resurgence. Ravens Wire’s Geoffrey A Knox specifically mentioned Harbaugh, whom he said should be in the Coach of the Year conversation if the Ravens continue surging.
Harbaugh was under scrutiny during Baltimore's 1-5 start, but Knox said he should be given his flowers.
"Fans and the media can be fickle. There's a 'What have you done for me lately?' attitude that hovers over professional football," Knox wrote. "He has taken advantage of the opportunity to reshape his narrative. The Ravens are now the favorites on many sportsbooks to win the AFC North. He has managed injuries. He has managed a demanding schedule. Coach Harbaugh is owed an apology, and while we're at it, how about some early Coach of the Year consideration?"
Malaki Starks, Teddye Buchanan Make PFF's Rookie Team of the Week
Several members of the Ravens' rookie class have been stepping up, including first-round safety Malaki Starks and fourth-round inside linebacker Teddye Buchanan, who both were named to Pro Football Focus’ Rookie Team of the Week for their performances in the Ravens' 27-19 win over the Minnesota Vikings.
"Back-to-back elite performances for the first safety of the board in this year's draft," PFF's Jim Wyman wrote. "Starks barely missed out on topping his 91.2 grade from Week 9, but he did edge his career-best 89.0 PFF coverage grade with an 89.9 figure against the Vikings. Starks allowed just one reception for five yards into his coverage while also recording an interception for the second straight week.
"After having some struggles to open his rookie year in coverage, Buchanan now has a PFF coverage grade over 60.0 in three of his last four games, including a career-best 78.5 number against the Vikings on Sunday. Buchanan was only targeted twice on 22 coverage snaps and yielded just one reception for six yards for a 56.3 passer rating against."
Second-round outside linebacker Mike Green (three quarterback hits, a tackle for loss), fourth-round kicker Tyler Loop (four field goals), and undrafted free-agent special teams standout Keondre Jackson (forced fumble and fumble recovery) also played significant roles in the victory.
Quick Hits
Yesterday's Most Read: Late for Work: Kyle Hamilton Is 'Reaching Lamar Jackson Territory' for His Impact on Defense
- The Ravens are No. 7 in FOX Sports’ Colin Cowherd’s “Herd Hierarchy.”
