If Ravens reach the playoffs, Texans or Bills are the most likely opponent

1 week ago 2

By far, it's the biggest cliche in all of sports: "taking it one game at a time." And it's a cliché because it works: players and coaches should not look ahead to the next game, as that would be self-defeating. However, we, as media and fans, can definitely look ahead, and we will. When it comes to the Baltimore Ravens and their playoff scenarios, it's relatively straightforward.

It's a win, and you're in at the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night. It's the AFC North title game, and with that division crown will come the No. 4 seed in the NFL postseason. The Ravens have only one playoff scenario, and the No. 4 seed is the only seeding they can earn.

So, with all that said, the more intriguing question is who they would face in the playoffs? According to NFL.com's Playoff Scenario Projections, the Ravens have a 60% chance of winning on Sunday Night Football and hosting a Wild Card Round playoff game next weekend. Obviously, the Steelers have a 40% chance of grabbing the fourth seed, according to the league's projections.

The AFC North division champion will then host the fifth seed next week, and three teams are in the running for that spot. The league's Wild Card Round potential scenarios give the Houston Texans a 68% chance of landing in the fifth slot. The Buffalo Bills are next, at 21% while the Jacksonville Jaguars are next at 6%.

The L.A. Chargers are the last team in the mix for the fifth seed, but their chances are projected at only 5%. Ravens fans will probably not like hearing that the Texans are the most likely potential playoff opponent, given what happened in week five.

Houston came into Baltimore and blew them out 44-10, limiting Derrick Henry to just 33 yards rushing on 15 carries. Naturally, no Ravens fan wants to relive that, but to be fair, Cooper Rush was the starting quarterback that day, so it was an entirely different team.

Also, the Ravens did blow out the Texans at their place in the Christmas Day game on Netflix last season, so that might instill a bit of confidence. The Jaguars or Chargers most likely won't finish with the fifth seed, but Buffalo is an intriguing possibility.

First off, you would have the potential "revenge factor," not once, but twice. The Ravens lost a heartbreaking season opener in Buffalo, 41-40, in a game that they absolutely gave away to the Bills. And of course, last season ended with a Divisional Round loss in Orchard Park, New York, so there would be no shortage of storylines.

Also, the Bills are considered, by many, a dangerous draw as a lower-seeded team in the postseason. Last year's AFC runner-up would be a powerful five seed.

However, they do have a weakness: their expectation that their starting quarterback, reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen, does it all.

Bills legend Andre Reed, one of the greatest wide receivers in their franchise history, said it best.

"He starts the car," Reed said of Allen in an exclusive with RG.org. "Now we need everybody to jump in the car with him. That's going to be the difference between them moving on and playing in another game or not."

No one else on Buffalo's offense looms as large as Allen, and until someone steps up to that level, the Bills can be had. Step one for the Ravens is just getting in, but if/when they do, the Bills might be a more favorable opponent than the Texans.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Houston or Buffalo would most likely await Baltimore in the playoffs

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