Baltimore Ravens Have Playoff Possibilities But Remain a Longshot

Yeah, the math is still in favor of the Ravens . But a look at the schedule, the injuries, and the failures of the past gives no indication that the math will add up to a Ravens playoff berth.

The good news is that the remaining six contests are split between M&T Bank Stadium and the road, and two of those home games are against woeful Detroit and beatable Chicago.

The bad news? Two games remain against Pittsburgh, and just one loss would likely be the death knell on a Ravens wildcard. And then there’s the road games against Green Bay and Oakland, which no one would classify as locks for this struggling Ravens squad.

Injuries are a concern. Terrell Suggs is out with one of those knee injuries that most players think will shelve them for two games, but will likely amount to a month’s worth of Sundays.

Ray Lewis’ ankle has been tweaked , Ed Reed’s shoulder and neck are still a concern, and this is all before the NFL’s hardest hitting game of the year come this Sunday.

And even if injuries were the least of there concerns, the broken-winged Ravens’ offense hasn’t impressed in the last few weeks, Colts-loss-hard.html" target="_blank">culminating in last Sunday’s Billick-esque field goal parade against the Colts . Do we really believe that it will pick up in time for the balance of the Steelers games, and against three NFC North foes?

It’s possible, and Ravens fans are deservedly hopeful for better days ahead given the weekly exploits of Ray Rice and a capable passing tandem in Joe Flacco and Derrick Mason.

But the tri-force of chain moving can’t do it alone, and the defense must rediscover its lock-down ways this Sunday; lest the season be the championship run that got away.