Ravens playoff picture: Who to root for in Week 10 to help Baltimore’s AFC race

Entering Week 10, the Ravens are 4-5 and still part of the AFC playoff race, even after suffering their fourth straight loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 9. The Ravens’ postseason path is shaped less by what they do immediately and more by what happens around them in divisional and wild-card races.

The Ravens can also improve their position directly when they host the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night, with Baltimore able to move up depending on other results across the conference. In the meantime, the team’s official playoff-picture guide points to several Week 10 matchups that could knock nearby opponents down a peg.

Root for the Detroit Lions over the New England Patriots. The Ravens’ guide notes Detroit is riding a four-game winning streak, while New England is coming off a 45-27 loss to the Green Bay Packers, and it highlights that Detroit’s offense has cooled over the past three games.

Root for the Houston Texans over the Cleveland Browns. Baltimore’s tiebreaker math is complicated because Texans and Browns both matter to the standings, but the Ravens’ guide emphasizes that a Texans win could leave the Ravens better positioned, including the possibility of tying Houston and/or Cleveland in relevant standings scenarios if Baltimore follows through.

Root for the Seattle Seahawks over the Las Vegas Raiders. The Ravens’ guide connects this game to the Raiders’ quarterback situation, noting that Las Vegas will start Fernando Mendoza, this year’s top overall draft pick, for his first career start.

Root for the Cincinnati Bengals over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Ravens’ guide frames the matchup as pivotal because Baltimore has already played Cincinnati once (and lost 35-13 in Week 7), while the Ravens still have a chance to defeat Pittsburgh twice and win the season series, which would be meaningful if they finish tied in the standings.