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Baltimore Ravens Could Secure Playoff Spot On Sunday

By Samuel Njoku

The Ravens continue to move in the right direction after winning a tough game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Their next test is against a Houston Texans team holding on to their slim playoff hopes.

Ravens Could Secure Playoff Spot Sunday

The Ravens knew what they needed to do to make the playoffs. Their best bet at returning to the post season is to win out. They took care of business in Miami against the Dolphins and again at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars. But with two games left, the Ravens could be closing in on a postseason berth sooner than expected. The Ravens could very well secure a playoff spot on Sunday against the Texans, but will need help from other teams.

Baltimore can clinch a playoff spot with a win plus a Steelers loss and a Bengals loss. Such a scenario would also put them in the driver’s seat for the division title the following week against the Browns. If they were to win and the Chiefs and Chargers either lost or tied, Baltimore would also secure a playoff spot. If Baltimore were to somehow reach a draw against the Texans, the Chiefs, Chargers, and Bills would need to lose.

The scenarios may be a bit much for the Ravens to think about. They know the uncomplicated version – win two more games and you’re in.

Three Ravens Players Head Go On IR

There are injuries on a team and then there’s whatever is happening in Baltimore. With an IR list that grows by the day, the Ravens shut down three more players for the remainder of the season. Lorenzo Taliaferro, Asa Jackson, and Terrence Brooks are done for the year with crucial injuries. Asa Jackson and Terrence Brooks both suffered knee injuries during their game against the Jaguars. Those are two huge blows to a secondary that has lost so much already. The Ravens front office are practically running out of cornerbacks to call.

Lardarius Webb appears to be the only reliable cornerback left on the team. With journeyman and project players surrounding this porous unit, the Ravens secondary will continue to struggle. Communication is a big part of how a defense plays. Baltimore has players on the roster who barely know the language of the defense. If the unit can come together and play decent football with the season closing out, it would have to be considered to be one of the great accomplishments for a front office that has achieved much in their tenure in the NFL.

For more Ravens news and updates, visit Ravens Central.

Samuel Njoku was born and raised in Baltimore, MD and is a graduate of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Samuel has covered the Ravens for Examiner.com since 2010. Prior to 2010, Samuel was an avid blogger and radio personality in Salisbury, MD. Samuel Njoku is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @Ravens_Examiner.

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