The Ravens' plans for Week 18 of the 2022 NFL season took a turn.
Instead of preparing for a possible AFC North title game with the Bengals, they readied themselves to pass the Chargers for the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoff field.
What hasn't changed is that they still have to beat the Bengals in Cincinnati.
MORE: Updated NFL playoff picture for Week 18
Baltimore got the better of Cincinnati in October, 19-17, but that was a different Bengals team than the one we've seen since the start of November. Cincinnati has been the hottest team in football down the stretch.
The Sporting News breaks down potential playoff seeding outcomes for the Ravens and their potential opponents in the wild-card round.
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How the Ravens can clinch the No. 5 seed in AFC
First, a look at the seven-team AFC playoff field heading into Sunday's games in Week 18:
| Team | W-L |
| Chiefs | 14-3 |
| Bills | 12-3 |
| Bengals | 11-4 |
| Jaguars | 9-8 |
| Chargers | 10-6 |
| Ravens | 10-6 |
| Patriots | 8-8 |
The Ravens' path to No. 5 is straightforward. If they beat the Bengals and the Chargers lose to or tie the Broncos on Sunday, then Baltimore and Los Angeles would flip spots. If the Ravens tie the Bengals and the Chargers lose to the Broncos, then the Ravens would be the fifth seed as well.
MORE: Updated NFL standings, playoff picture for Week 18
How the Ravens can clinch the No. 6 seed in AFC
If the Ravens lose or tie and the Chargers win, then the Ravens will stay at No. 6. If Baltimore and Los Angeles finish with the same record, then the Ravens will be the No. 6 seed because the Chargers will finish fifth by vitrue of conference record tiebreaker. The Patriots cannot jump the Ravens in the standings, and neither can the Dolphins or Steelers, the other teams that can finish as the No. 7 seed.
How the Ravens can host a playoff game despite not winning the AFC North
There is a chance the Ravens could play the Bengals in Baltimore in the playoffs even though the Bengals would be seeded higher as division champions. If the Ravens defeat the Bengals and the Chargers defeat the Broncos on Sunday, then the Bengals and Ravens would meet in a 3-6 game. Because of changes to the NFL playoff format for 2023 prompted by Bills player Damar Hamlin's near-fatal injury in Week 17, home-field advantage for the game would be determined by a coin flip.
MORE: Zac Taylor takes issue with NFL's solution to AFC North home-field advantage
Potential Ravens playoff matchups
A breakdown of Baltimore's potential playoff opponents and where the games would be played:
- at Jaguars: Ravens defeat Bengals, Chargers lose to Broncos
- at Bills: Ravens lose to Bengals, Bills lose to Patriots
- at Bengals: Ravens defeat Bengals, Chargers defeat Broncos, Ravens lose coin flip for home field
- vs. Bengals: Ravens defeat Bengals, Chargers defeat Broncos, Ravens win coin flip for home field
