Ravens Week 13 Open Thread and Viewing Guide

After losing to the Bengals on Thanksgiving, the Ravens have dropped to 6-6 and second place in the AFC North and the No. 10 spot in the AFC playoff picture. Baltimore still controls their own destiny, but only if they win the division. To qualify as a wildcard they will need a good bit help, making Sunday’s slate of games crucial for both records and tiebreakers. Here’s what you should be watching (and rooting for):

The most important aspect of Sunday’s games are their impact on the Ravens’ playoff chances. Bills vs. Steelers is the only relevant matchup to the race for the divisional crow, while the other three games listed below will factor into the wildcard race.

Bills (7-4) vs. Steelers (6-5), Sunday at 4:25 p.m ET: This is a tough one, and probably the most important game for the Ravens. They are most likely to make the playoffs as the winner of the AFC North, so a Steelers loss would seem to be the best outcome. However, if you think a wildcard berth is more likely, a Bills loss would be best, though their win in Baltimore means the Ravens have to finish with a better record. However, that would also required you to root for the Steelers, which might be too bitter a pill to swallow.

Texans (6-5) vs. Colts (8-3), Sunday at 1:00 p.m ET: This may be another tough one for Ravens fans who resented the Colts for leaving Baltimore. However, the playoff implications are clear: the Texans are another team vying for a wildcard spot, so a loss would help the Ravens. Their loss to the Texans earlier this year will also force them to win more games to get ahead in the standings.

Jaguars (7-4) vs. Titans (1-10), Sunday at 1:00 ET: Easy peasy: the Jaguars are competing for a wild card, so loss would help the Ravens.

Raiders (2-9) vs. Chargers (7-4), Sunday at 4:25 p.m ET: This is a tough one, and probably the most important game for the Ravens. They are most likely to make the playoffs as the winner of the AFC North, so a Steelers loss would seem to be the best outcome. However, if you think a wild card berth is more likely, a Bills loss would be better, though their win in Baltimore means the Ravens have to However, that would also required you to root for the Steelers, which might be too bitter a pill to swallow.

Unfortunately, Week 13 lacks any exciting matchups. If you’re a fan of slop fests, though, here are the games that may interest you:

Saints (7-4) vs. Dolphins (6-5), Sunday at 1:00 p.m ET

Falcons (4-7) vs. Jets (2-9), Sunday at 1:00 p.m ET

If, for some reason, you want to watch a one-sided matchup that could result in a lopsided score, you have several options. All of the following games have lines of at least 6.5 points aside from the 49ers, who are favored by 5.5 points.

49ers (8-4) vs. Browns (3-8), Sunday at 1:00 p.m ET

Rams (9-2) vs. Panthers (6-6), Sunday at 1:00 p.m ET

Cardinals (3-8) vs. Buccaneers (6-5), Sunday at 1:00 p.m ET

Vikings (4-7) vs. Seahawks (8-3), Sunday at 4:05 p.m ET

Broncos (9-2) vs. Commanders (3-8), Monday at 8:20 p.m ET

Giants (2-10) vs. Patriots (10-2), Monday at 8:15 p.m ET