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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