Ravens fans get to spend Sunday afternoon watching the rest of the league battle it out before Baltimore takes on the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football.
The Ravens sit in good playoff position at 7-5, and could be in even better shape once they line up at Heinz Field.
There are three main rules when choosing who to root for:
- Always root against the Steelers (especially easy to do this week)
- Always root for an NFC to beat an AFC team
- Root for teams in the wild-card mix to lose
With that said, here's who Ravens fans should specifically root for in Week 14:
Oakland Raiders (6-6) at Kansas City Chiefs (6-6)
Sunday, 1 p.m.
This is one of the biggest games of the week and a tough one to determine rooting interest. The AFC West has three teams tied for first place at 6-6 – the Raiders, Chiefs and L.A. Chargers. Ravens fans want to see two of those teams nosedive down the stretch. The Chiefs have lost six of their last seven games, so they could continue to fall. The Raiders, meanwhile, have won three of their last four,but still have three tough games on the schedule after today: vs. Dallas Cowboys, at Philadelphia Eagles and at Chargers. So how about the Raiders win today to continue Kansas City's slide, then possibly pick up a loss or two down the line?
Root for: Raiders
Indianapolis Colts (3-9) at Buffalo Bills (6-6)
Sunday, 1 p.m.
The Bills are still one of the Ravens' biggest challengers for a wild-card spot, even though they've been fading in recent weeks. Bills rookie quarterback Nathan Peterman will get the start in place of injured Tyrod Taylor. Peterman threw five first-half interceptions in his first and only other start of the season in Week 11 against the Chargers. A Bills loss does, however, clinch a playoff spot for the Steelers.
Root for: Colts
Chicago Bears (3-9) at Cincinnati Bengals (5-7)
Sunday, 1 p.m.
The Bengals' loss to the Steelers last Monday night was a brutal one for their playoff chances, and another loss would knock them further from contention. The Ravens have a Week 17 game against the Bengals, and it may be beneficial if they had nothing to play for.
Root for: Bears
Green Bay Packers (6-6) at Cleveland Browns (0-12)
Sunday, 1 p.m.
This game has no bearing on the Ravens' playoff chances, but Baltimore does have to travel to Cleveland next week. The Browns are looking to fend off an 0-16 season. Better for them to take that edge off against the Packers than have them furiously fighting the Ravens next week. Break Rule No. 2 this time.
Root for: Browns
Tennessee Titans (8-4) at Arizona Cardinals (5-7)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m.
Right now the Titans would have the No. 3 seed in the playoffs. The Ravens currently have the No. 6 seed in the playoffs, which would mean a wild-card matchup against the No. 3 seed (likely the AFC South winner). So where would the Ravens prefer to go if they make the playoffs as a wild-card team: Jacksonville or Nashville? That question should dictate who Ravens fans want to see win the AFC South. Both teams beat Baltimore earlier this season, though the Jags did so more decisively in London. However, both the Titans and Jaguars are only one game ahead of Baltimore, so any losses by them give the Ravens more avenues to the playoffs.
Root for: Cardinals
Seattle Seahawks (8-4) at Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m.
This should be an entertaining game to watch, and it also plays into the debate above about who Ravens fans would prefer to win the AFC South. The Jaguars are sitting pretty in the playoff picture, but, as mentioned before, are just one game ahead of the Ravens. They're not a lock yet.
Root for: Seahawks
Washington Redskins (5-7) at Los Angeles Chargers (6-6)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m.
The Ravens' neighbors to the south could do them a big favor by slowing down the surging Chargers. The Bolts may be Baltimore's greatest threat to a playoff spot, as they have won six of their last eight games. Perhaps they'll end up winning the AFC West, but that's certainly no guarantee at this point and one of their divisional foes (Oakland or Kansas City) will pick up a win earlier in the day.
Root for: Redskins
New York Jets (5-7) at Denver Broncos (3-9)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m.
Quarterback Josh McCown and the Jets are hanging around on the fringe of the AFC wild-card race. One more loss would be a massive blow that'd be tough to overcome.
Root for: Broncos
New England Patriots (10-2) at Miami Dolphins (5-7)
Monday, 8:30 p.m.
The Dolphins could essentially be eliminated from the playoff picture with one more loss. They snapped a five-game losing streak with a lopsided victory over the Broncos last week, but the Patriots will be a much tougher foe. The Patriots will be without suspended tight end Rob Gronkowski. New England clinches the AFC East crown for the ninth consecutive year with a Bills loss on Sunday or by beating the Dolphins.
Root for: Patriots
