Power Ranking: Ravens Remain a Top*–*Five Team After Loss to Steelers
The Ravens entered Sunday’s matchup against the Steelers as a consensus top-five team in the power rankings, and despite a 28-24 loss, it remained the same.
Baltimore ranked in the top five in all six publications we looked at this week.
“In most statistical categories, the Ravens dominated the rival Steelers on Sunday,” Bleacher Report wrote. “The Ravens amassed 457 yards of total offense compared to only 221 for Pittsburgh. They piled up a staggering 265 rushing yards against a Steelers defense that entered the week allowing less than 70 yards a game on the ground. They also converted more than half of their third-down attempts.
“With the loss, Baltimore’s chances of repeating as AFC North champions and potentially earning a first-round bye in the playoffs took a sizable hit. And with three of the next four games against teams with winning records, the Ravens need to tighten things up quickly to keep their fading hopes in the division alive.”
Looking strictly at the final score doesn’t tell the story, as this was a game the Ravens could have very well won. They dominated the Steelers statistically and held a 17-7 halftime lead, but four turnovers were the difference.
“The game came down to the final play but hanging over the Ravens is the fact that Jackson’s worst performances of the season have come against Baltimore’s best opponents,” Sports Illustrated’s Jenny Vrentas wrote. “Jackson threw two interceptions and also fumbled the ball twice inside Pittsburgh’s 10-yard line, but getting their passing game right falls on more than just Jackson.”
Yet despite the loss, the Ravens didn’t fall more than two spots in any of the rankings. ESPN, NFL.com, Bleacher Report, and Sports Illustrated moved them down just one spot.
The Ravens are still in the driver’s seat for a wild-card spot, and the division isn’t out of reach. A Thanksgiving matchup in Pittsburgh still looms, and a lot can change in a month.
“The Ravens remain in good position for a playoff return, but the road is far rockier than a year ago,” NFL.com’s Dan Hanzus wrote.
