Kansas City Chiefs: Ranking 2021 AFC playoff teams
By Chris Clark
Kansas City Chiefs: Ranking 2021 AFC playoff teams
5. Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens might be one of the more disappointing teams of 2020. After such a formidable season last year, most fans could have expected that they’d build on what they had already done. Instead, this seems to be a team that lacked an identity. It’s possible that part of the up and down season was due in part to a blowout loss to the Chiefs in Week 3.
At one point in the season, the Ravens went on a three-game losing streak, which included losses to two of the teams on this list – the Titans and Steelers. After that point, though, they went on a five-game winning streak to close out the regular season. Outside of their win over the Browns, those wins didn’t come against any notable opponent. Now, they head for Tennessee in a rematch of last year’s divisional round.
One reason that Baltimore could give the Titans trouble is that they rank eighth against the run in yards per game. With Tennessee employing such a brutal rushing attack with Derrick Henry, Baltimore will have to stop the big bruiser to get the win. This could be why the Titans are home underdogs to the Ravens. It’ll be interesting to see if this plays out as true, with the Ravens finding playoff redemption.
Much like the Browns and Colts, the case could be made the spots between the Ravens and Titans could be swapped. Unfortunately, the Ravens have lost four games to AFC playoff teams, which includes losses to Tennessee, Kansas City, and two to Pittsburgh. Their wins over AFC playoff teams are over the Browns and Colts.
The Ravens may prove to be a playoff sleeper, but they won’t look dangerous without a win over Tennessee in round one.