The Ravens face an uphill climb if they are going to get back to playoffs for the sixth straight season.
After a 3-5 start to the year, Head Coach John Harbaugh acknowledged that "the math says it’s going to be a challenge."
But while the Ravens have to make up ground over the next eight weeks, the postseason is certainly not out of the question. The Ravens are still very much in the hunt for a wild-card spot, and they can put themselves back within striking distance of the division with a win over the Bengals this week.
Recent history is also on the Ravens' side.
According to ESPN Stats and Information, at least one team has made the playoffs in each of the last 13 seasons after starting the year with a sub-.500 record through the first eight games.
Just last season, the Redskins and Bengals both made the playoffs after starting the year 3-5. The Redskins opened last year 3-6 before lighting up and winning their final seven games to win their division with a 10-6 record. The Bengals won seven of their final eight games to finish 10-6 and made the playoffs as a wild-card team.
The Ravens need to get on a similar roll to return to the postseason, and Harbaugh has expressed confidence that his team can do it. He said last week that he believes the Ravens will "catch fire," and emphasized after Sunday's game that he is confident in the players on the roster.
"I know our players are good enough to win these games," Harbaugh said. "There's no doubt about it."
Do you think the Ravens will finish the year strong and make another trip to the playoffs?
