For the better part of a decade, the Baltimore Ravens have been a fixture in the AFC playoffs. They’ve had at least 10 wins and made the playoffs in six of the last seven seasons.

Things looked a little different in 2025.

Baltimore stumbled out of the gate with close losses to the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions in Weeks 1 and 3, respectively. An injury to two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson left the team at 1-5 heading into their bye week.

After the bye, Baltimore turned things around. Five straight wins brought them to 0.500 as the offense found its footing with Jackson back in the lineup. Since their bye, the Ravens have averaged 161 rushing yards per game, up from 126 before it.

There are three weeks left in the regular season and the Ravens are one game behind the Pittsburgh Steelers for a potential third consecutive AFC North crown. A loss to the Steelers in Week 14 put a damper on those chances but they’re still very much in the mix.

Here’s a look at the Ravens’ playoff scenarios entering Week 16 and where they fall in the overall NFL playoff picture.

Ravens playoff chances

Baltimore has a 38% chance to make the playoffs, according to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats, entering Week 16. Those chances change with the game’s outcome. The Ravens chances jump to 47% if they beat New England but drop to 26% if they lose.

Ravens playoff scenarios

Baltimore cannot clinch a playoff spot in Week 16. To control their own destiny, the Ravens need to win their next two games. Victories over New England and Green Bay ensure the team is in contention for the AFC North title regardless of what Pittsburgh does.

Given the current state of the AFC wild-card race, it’s becoming more likely that the Ravens will have to win the division to make the playoffs. They’re one game back of Pittsburgh in the AFC North title race, compared to two games back of Houston for the final wild-card spot.

AFC North standings

The Ravens entered Week 16 one game behind the Steelers in the win column, and Pittsburgh already holds a win against them. This is what the standings look like:

1. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6, 3-1 AFC North)
2. Baltimore Ravens (7-7, 3-2)
3. Cincinnati Bengals (5-10, 3-2)
4. Cleveland Browns (3-12, 0-4)

The Ravens eliminated the Bengals from playoff contention with their shutout win in Week 15. Baltimore has to keep pace with Pittsburgh to turn their second matchup this season into a win-and-in contest.

Ravens remaining schedule

Baltimore has one of the toughest end-of-season slates in the league, according to Tankathon rankings. All three of their final regular-season games are against teams that enter Week 16 in position to make the playoffs.

Here’s a look at how Baltimore finishes the regular season:

• Week 16: vs. New England Patriots (11-3)
• Week 17: at Green Bay Packers (9-4-1)
• Week 18: at Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6)

Steelers remaining schedule

Pittsburgh’s slate is much easier thanks to a road game against the AFC North-worst Cleveland Browns. Besides that, the Steelers have a big game against Detroit in Week 16 in addition to their season finale at home against Baltimore.

Here’s a look at Pittsburgh’s end-of-season slate:

• Week 16: at Detroit Lions (8-6)
• Week 17: at Cleveland Browns (3-11)
• Week 18: vs. Baltimore Ravens (7-7)

NFL playoff picture Week 16

AFC

1. Denver Broncos (12-2, AFC West leaders)*
2. New England Patriots (11-3, AFC East leaders)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4, AFC South leaders)
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6, AFC North leaders)
5. Los Angeles Chargers (11-4, wild card No. 1)
6. Buffalo Bills (11-4, wild card No. 2)
7. Houston Texans (9-5, wild card No. 3)

In the hunt: Indianapolis Colts (8-6), Baltimore Ravens (7-7)

NFC

1. Seattle Seahawks (12-3, NFC West leaders)*
2. Chicago Bears (11-4, NFC North leaders)
3. Philadelphia Eagles (9-5, NFC East leaders)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7, NFC South leaders)
5. Los Angeles Rams (11-4, wild card No. 1)*
6. San Francisco 49ers (10-4, wild card No. 2)
7. Green Bay Packers (9-4-1, wild card No. 3)

In the hunt: Detroit Lions (8-6), Carolina Panthers (7-7), Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1)

* Denotes team that has clinched a playoff berth.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ravens playoff chances: Scenarios for Baltimore to make postseason