Problem for the Ravens is they still sucked even with Jackson on the field
Their defense is just too ass for me to believe they'll make a run. Sure they've got some winnable games left on their schedule, but them digging out of a 1-5 hole? 9-2 the rest of the way seems like a tough ask. I can't see them completely sweeping the division, only losing to one other team when they have Chicago, NE, GB, and Minnesota still on the schedule.
I don't trust Nix either, but I think that team is built well enough where they'll hang around. I imagine that division is going to come down to the final couple of weeks. Chargers are going to miss the post-season despite the hot start. Gonna finish around .500. Their defense is a problem, and their oline injuries are killing them.
Jacksonville defense should keep winning them games. Especially with some of the offenses they're playing the rest of the way.
At least enough to sneak in. AFC is so down this year.
Leaving the AFC North for the end because long.
The Chargers have a lot of issues, agreed. But I'd trust Harbaugh and Herbert over Payton and Nix. Broncos still have the Chiefs twice and the Chargers banked a win there. But that one I'm less sure about.
Jags defense hasn't been good imo. I know they beat the Chiefs, but Mahomes got pretty much what he wanted, just like Stafford did today. Their schedule isn't super robust but they still have us twice, the Chargers, the Broncos, and the Texans. I fully expect Lawrence to unravel more and more. So I'll take the Texans, who have a better QB, even with that poor OL.
So I've kind of made the Ravens my pet "other team to follow" this season. Started by accident but when Lamar got hurt, I got into Locked on Ravens and here is the thing. The Ravens schedule has been hellish so far. They lost to the Bills (should've won), Lions, and Chiefs with Lamar. They then lost to the Texans and Rams. All 5 playoff teams from last seasons, and with the possible exception of the Texans, at least 4 more this season. The Chiefs are the only team that kicked their asses properly with Lamar.
The Ravens injury situation has been insane on defense. Their trades seemed to help last week with the Rams and they will be getting guys back. If we exclude the Browns, it's a theoretical three team race.
Steelers (4-2)
- Packers
- Colts
- Chargers
- Bengals
- Bears
- Bills
- Ravens
- Dolphins
- Lions
- Browns
- Ravens
Real chances the Steelers lose 7 of those. Might even lose the next three. The Bills and Lions will most likely still be playing for seeding when they meet. If the Ravens do their job, that would give the Steelers 9 loses, without factoring in the Bears who are a tough out.
Bengals (3-4)
- Jets
- Bears
- Steelers
- Pats
- Ravens
- Bills
- Ravens
- Dolphins
- Cards
- Browns
Not the worst schedule, but the question is could Flacco keep them afloat until Burrow could theortically come back late. It's possible, but I also expect at least 3 more losses before the Dolphins game.
Ravens (1-5)
- Bears
- Dolphins
- Vikings
- Browns
- Jets
- Bengals
- Steelers
- Bengals
- Pats
- Packers
- Steelers
Real chance Ravens are above .500 in 5 weeks. Hardest game is the Bears imo. The Vikings' QB situation is a real handicap. So even with their strong defense, I'd take Lamar.
The biggest question mark is their division games. They can always be tricky. But if you told me they run the table against it, I'd believe you.
I really think we'll be seeing all three of these teams around the same record once the Ravens start playing them. And I'm taking Lamar in the regular season.
