Week 9 vs. New England Patriots

Record: 8-0

The defending Super Bowl champions are undefeated at the midway point largely because of a stifling defense. The Patriots have 25 takeaways, which is more than three per game. No other team has more than 16 takeaways. New England's defense has scored as many touchdowns as it has given up – four. Oh, and they have some guy named Tom Brady. The Pats' offense ranks 16th in the league.

Week 10 at Cincinnati Bengals
Record: 0-8
The winless Bengals are off to their worst start since 2008. Rookie quarterback Ryan Finley has replaced longtime starter Andy Dalton, and will make his first career start against Baltimore. If the Bengals don't trade wide receiver A.J. Green, he could suit up for his first game of the season against Baltimore on Nov. 10. Regardless, the Bengals always play the Ravens tough. Baltimore beat Cincinnati, 23-17, in Week 6.

Week 11 vs. Houston Texans
Record: 5-3
Led by MVP candidate Deshaun Watson, the Texans are in the thick of the playoff race. Watson has been making highlight-reel plays at a clip similar to Lamar Jackson. Houston just lost Pro Bowl defensive end J.J. Watt (torn pectoral) for the rest of the year.

Week 12 at Los Angeles Rams
Record: 5-3
Last year's NFC champions aren't off to quite as strong of a start as last season, but they're still quite strong. Jared Goff leads the NFL with 2,367 passing yards, though he's thrown seven interceptions to 11 touchdowns. Wide receiver Cooper Kupp is second in the league with 792 receiving yards. Their defense, led by Defensive MVP Aaron Donald, ranks 10th.

Week 13 vs. San Francisco 49ers
Record: 7-0
The 49ers have the No. 1-ranked defense in the league, allowing just 224.4 yards per game. They have allowed just 11 points per game, and gave up just seven to the offensively potent Rams. The 49ers' defensive front is stacked, led by No. 2-overall pick Nick Bosa. They lead the league in rushing attempts and are averaging the second-most rushing yards (181.1), only trailing the Ravens.

Week 14 at Buffalo Bills
Record: 5-2
Buffalo is in good position for a wild-card berth at the midway point thanks to a tough defense and quality play from second-year quarterback Josh Allen. Former Ravens wideout John Brown leads the team with 527 receiving yards. The Bills' five wins have come against teams with a combined seven wins among them.

Week 15 vs. New York Jets
Record: 1-6
The Jets have been challenged by injuries to Sam Darnold and will now be without linebacker C.J. Mosley reportedly for five to six weeks. He still could be back in time to face his former team. Still, the Jets have struggled mightily this season as they build for the future.

Week 16 at Cleveland Browns
Record: 2-5
The rematch of the Ravens' most frustrating loss yet will be in Cleveland. The Browns currently trail the Ravens by three games, but they have a more favorable schedule down the stretch. Led by Baker Mayfield's league-high 12 interceptions, Cleveland continues to kill itself with turnovers.

Week 17 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Record: 3-4
The Steelers aren't out of the AFC North race yet, as they sit in second place after a Monday Night Football win. Pittsburgh's defense is getting after quarterbacks and getting turnovers, and the offense seems to have found its legs (running back James Conner) after losing veteran Ben Roethlisberger for the year. Second-year quarterback Mason Rudolph will continue to get better with experience.