The Ravens are a game ahead of the Steelers atop the AFC North. We break down how Baltimore can clinch the division title for the 2025 NFL Playoffs in Week 18.
The 2024 NFL regular season has reached its final week.
While the majority of playoff spots have been clinched, there are a few outstanding matters to be decided in Week 18. One of those? The winner of the AFC North. Both the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers have clinched playoff spots, but the division is undecided and both teams enter the final weekend of the regular season with a chance to take home a division tite, with the Ravens holding the advantage.
Here is how Baltimore can clinch the AFC North this weekend.
Baltimore Ravens AFC North clinching scenarios
The Ravens control their own destiny when it comes to the AFC North title.
With a win or a tie against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday, Baltimore will clinch the division title. It should be noted that the Ravens are overwhelming favorites against the Browns — FanDuel had the Ravens listed at 19.5-point favorites as of Friday morning — and Cleveland has already announced that Bailey Zappe will be under center for the Browns in this game.
However, if Cleveland stuns the football world and pulls off the upset, Baltimore can still win the division if the Cincinnati Bengals win or tie against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Saturday’s late game.
Baltimore Ravens seeding scenarios
The Ravens will be either the No. 3 seed in the AFC playoffs, or the No. 5 seed.
If they end up winning the division — with a win or a tie against the Browns, or a Steelers loss or tie against the Bengals — then Baltimore is the No. 3 seed.
Should the Ravens lose and the Steelers win, then Pittsburgh would be the No. 3 seed, and Baltimore would be in as the No. 5 seed.
AFC standings entering Week 18
1. z-Kansas City Chiefs (15-1)
2. y-Buffalo Bills (13-3)
3. x-Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
4. y-Houston Texans (9-7)
5. x-Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6, win over LAC)
6. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6, loss to PIT)*
7. Denver Broncos (9-7)*
8. Miami Dolphins (8-8, 6-5 AFC)*
9. Cincinnati Bengals (8-8, 5-6 AFC)*
10. Indianapolis Colts (7-9) — eliminated
11. New York Jets (4-12, 4-7 AFC, win over JAX) — eliminated
12. Las Vegas Raiders (4-12, 3-8 AFC, win over JAX) — eliminated
13. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12, 4-7 AFC, loss to NYJ & LV) — eliminated
14. Cleveland Browns (3-13) — eliminated
15. Tennessee Titans (3-13, win over NE) — eliminated
16. New England Patriots (3-13, loss to TEN) — eliminated
