As the Ravens prepare to play the Dolphins at home Sunday, here's a look at how the rest of their season breaks down, with the games divided into categories according to their level of difficulty for the Ravens.
Most challenging
• at Atlanta Falcons (5-2)
Date: Nov. 11 (Week 10)
The good: Even with the offseason addition of cornerback Dunta Robinson, the Falcons still rank near the bottom in pass defense. If the Ravens secondary can hold up, Joe Flacco has the opportunity to outshine Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan, who was selected 15 spots ahead of him in the 2008 NFL draft.
The bad: The Falcons are averaging 32 points in three games at the Georgia Dome. It's difficult to shut down both wide receiver Roddy White and running back Michael Turner.
The bottom line: The Ravens have two days of preparation before flying to Atlanta for a Thursday night game. That's a tough task against the likes of the Falcons, who play an AFC-style of football in the NFC.
•vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2)
Date: Dec. 5 (Week 13)
The good: The Ravens' offensive line has the confidence to slow down the Steelers' fearsome pass rush after holding Pittsburgh to one sack earlier this year. The Ravens have owned the Steelers in Baltimore, winning six of the past seven meetings here (dating back to 2003).
The bad: Instead of playing Charlie Batch at quarterback, the Ravens have to face Ben Roethlisberger, who was suspended for the first meeting. He has a 6-3 record against the Ravens, throwing 15 touchdowns for an 83.6 rating.
The bottom line: For the Ravens to win the AFC North, they'll probably need to sweep the Steelers, something the Ravens have done only once before. Now that Flacco seems to have found his footing against Pittsburgh, the Ravens defense has to solve Roethlisberger.
• at Houston Texans (4-2)
Date: Dec. 13 (Week 14)
The good: The Ravens have a history of quieting one of the NFL's best receivers, Andre Johnson, who has 136 yards receiving and no touchdowns in two meetings. That could explain why the Ravens have never lost to the Texans (3-0 all-time).
The bad: With the surprising emergence of Arian Foster, the Texans have one of the top ground games. That could spell trouble for a Ravens defense that ranks 17th against the run.
The bottom line: Houston's rise to one of the AFC's elite teams has been slowed by home losses to the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants. In order to make a run for their first playoff berth, the Texans can't afford any more slipups at home.
Tossup
• vs. Miami Dolphins (4-3)
Date: Nov. 7 (Week 9)
The good: Miami has struggled to punch it into the end zone, scoring a total of two touchdowns the past two games. Over that time, Dan Carpenter has kicked 10 field goals.
The bad: The Dolphins' defense has been extremely stingy on the road, holding teams to 13.5 points.
The bottom line: Since 2002, the Ravens are undefeated in home games immediately following a bye (5-0). Miami is undefeated on the road this season (4-0).
• vs. New Orleans Saints (5-3)
Date: Dec. 19 (Week 15)
The good: Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees nearly has as many interceptions through seven games (10) as he did all of last season (11).
The bad: New Orleans' offense will look more like the New Orleans offense once running backs Pierre Thomas ( sprained ankle) and Reggie Bush (fractured fibula) return.
The bottom line: Time will tell if the Saints can recover from their Super Bowl hangover.
• vs. Cincinnati Bengals (2-5)
Date: Jan. 2 (Week 17)
The good: Losers of four straight games, the Bengals' playoff hopes are plummeting and the chances of a locker room implosion are rising.
The bad: In his past three games against Cincinnati, Flacco has thrown two touchdowns and eight interceptions.
The bottom line: If Cincinnati's mercurial personalities haven't ripped apart this team, the Bengals still present a major challenge. Their cover-2 defense has been a major obstacle for Flacco.
Most favorable
• at Carolina Panthers (1-6)
Date: Nov. 21 (Week 11)
The good: Carolina's offense is perhaps the worst in the NFL. The Panthers have been held under 20 points in six of seven games.
The bad: The Panthers are the only team that the Ravens have yet to defeat in the regular season or postseason.
The bottom line: The Panthers seem like they're lying down for lame-duck coach John Fox.
• vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-2)
Date: Nov. 28 (Week 12)
The good: Ray Rice should be circling this game. The Buccaneers have given up 100 yards rushing to four running backs already.
The bad: Tampa Bay is winning because it's playing smart. The Buccaneers are among the best in turnover ratio.
The bottom line: Tampa Bay has already surpassed last year's win total by beating the likes of Cleveland, Carolina, Cincinnati and Arizona. The Ravens are in a different class.
• at Cleveland Browns (2-5)
Date: Dec. 26 (Week 16)
The good: The Ravens have won the last five meetings, beating the Browns by an average of 16.4 points.
The bad: The Ravens' run defense still has bruises from the 144-yard rushing effort by Peyton Hillis earlier this season.
The bottom line: Under coach John Harbaugh, the Ravens dominate teams with losing records. That shouldn't change at Cleveland with a possible playoff berth on the line.