playoff simulator<\/a>. Their 12-3 record puts them one game ahead of the Buffalo Bills in the standings, and they also hold the tiebreaker.<\/p>\nSo it would take a bit of a collapse for the Patriots not to end the Bills\u2019 five-year run atop the division.<\/p>\n
The Patriots close the season with games against the Jets and Dolphins, while the Bills face the Philadelphia Eagles and Jets. \u2014 Chad Graff, Patriots beat writer<\/p>\n
Not playing like a playoff team<\/p>\n
Despite the victory on Sunday, it\u2019s going to be hard for the Patriots to win in January if they play like this.<\/p>\n
In short, they struggled to run the ball\u00a0and to stop the run. That\u2019s rarely a recipe for January success.<\/p>\n
On Sunday night, their recent strides in the running game hit the brakes after Henderson suffered a head injury. But even he had managed only 3 yards on five carries before leaving the game. In total, the Patriots finished with 79 rushing yards on 23 carries (3.4 yards per carry) as they were forced once again to move the ball through the air.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the Ravens ran all over a Patriots defense that entered the game ranked 22nd in success rate against them. Even with Jackson sidelined for most of the game due to a back injury, Henry still ran for 128 yards and two touchdowns.<\/p>\n
The Patriots had a ton of success through the air, and their defensive numbers against the pass this season are pretty good. But it\u2019s going to be tough to win in the playoffs if they can\u2019t run the ball or stop the run. \u2014\u00a0Graff<\/p>\n
Ravens\u2019 season on the brink<\/p>\n
Blowing an 11-point fourth-quarter lead is a fitting way for the Ravens\u2019 playoff hopes to largely go out the window.<\/p>\n
Even with Jackson sidelined, things were going so well for the Ravens. Huntley was taking care of the football. The Ravens were controlling the game on the ground. Their defense stabilized in the second half, and their special teams made a big play. They led 24-13 with just under 13 minutes to play when Henry rumbled in for a 2-yard touchdown.<\/p>\n
But this is the Ravens, and no lead is ever safe.<\/p>\n
Sure enough, Maye led two fourth-quarter touchdown drives, and the Ravens blew another significant late lead. Their season started in Week 1 in Buffalo, where they squandered a late 15-point lead. Their season didn\u2019t officially end Sunday night, but they need a miracle now to make the playoffs. \u2014\u00a0Jeff Zrebiec, Ravens beat writer<\/p>\n
So you\u2019re saying there\u2019s a chance \u2026<\/p>\n
The Ravens\u2019 playoff hopes now hinge on them winning out and the Steelers losing next Sunday to the 3-12 Cleveland Browns.<\/p>\n
Just as the Ravens were walking off the field following their final warmups, the Steelers thwarted a final Detroit Lions rally. The Ravens needed to beat the Patriots to stay within a game of the Steelers and maintain realistic playoff hopes. They couldn\u2019t get it done, losing their franchise-record sixth home game of the season.<\/p>\n
Now, for Baltimore\u2019s Week 18 game in Pittsburgh to mean anything, the Ravens need to beat the Green Bay Packers on Saturday, potentially without Jackson, and need the Steelers to lose to the Browns on Sunday. \u2014\u00a0Zrebiec<\/p>\n
Injuries piling up for Patriots<\/p>\n
Eight different Patriots \u2014 five of them starters \u2014 suffered injuries Sunday, including four who were ruled out of the game.<\/p>\n
Chief among them was Henderson, who exited in the second quarter with a head injury and didn\u2019t return. He ran for 148 yards and two touchdowns last week and was the main reason the Patriots\u2019 running game had improved in recent weeks. Without Henderson, the team\u2019s struggles on the ground continued (though a late flourish from Stevenson left him with 51 yards on eight carries).<\/p>\n
Defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga (foot), defensive tackle Joshua Farmer (hamstring) and defensive back Charles Woods (ankle) joined Henderson in being ruled out.<\/p>\n
Additionally, starting right tackle Morgan Moses suffered a knee injury, backup right tackle Thayer Munford left with a knee injury of his own, wide receiver Kayshon Boutte sustained a head injury and fellow wideout DeMario Douglas went down with a hamstring injury. Only Moses returned to play. Linebacker and leading tackler Robert Spillane also didn\u2019t play due to a foot injury.<\/p>\n
New England could use some good news on the injury front, and it may come soon. Defensive tackle Milton Williams is eligible to be activated off injured reserve this week, and left tackle Will Campbell is eligible to play in Week 18. \u2014\u00a0Graff<\/p>\n