The Ravens are in third place in the AFC North with a losing record.
Their star player is set to undergo surgery today, while the rest of the team is trying to recover from Sunday's embarrassing, 37-25 loss to the New Orleans Saints.
So, what's left to play for with three games left in the regular season?
The franchise's first division title.
Whether it's wishful thinking or the reality of a mediocre division, the Ravens (6-7) remain within striking distance of the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5-1), sitting 1 1/2 games back of the AFC North leaders.
"We are in a playoff hunt, plain and simple," coach Brian Billick said. "It's probably not fair. Some teams are playing a little better than we are that don't have the same opportunity we have. That's the way she be."
The Ravens' final three games are on the road against the Houston Texans (4-9), home against the second-place Cleveland Browns (7-6) and at the Steelers.
For that final game to have meaning, the Ravens have to beat the Texans and the Browns, and the Steelers have to lose to either the Carolina Panthers (5-8) at home or at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-3).
If that happens, the division title will be on the line when the Ravens play in Pittsburgh on Dec. 29.
"We're still in it," quarterback Jeff Blake said. "I think [the Steelers are] going to lose some more games."
Capturing one of the two wild-card spots is a pipe dream at this point.
There are 11 teams in the AFC (including four division leaders) with better records than the Ravens. That means a third straight trip to the playoffs hinges on Billick's team winning a division for the first time in the franchise's seven-year history.
Although it's mathematically possible, it's a tough challenge for a team that has a 3-6 record against winning teams and has yet to break past the .500 mark this season.
"We have a chance at a division title," said Billick, who threatened a fine for any player saying the word "playoffs" two years ago at this time.
"That sounds odd to stand up here at 6-7 to say that. It begins with taking [care of] business at Houston."
Before they can take care of the expansion Texans, the Ravens have to address several in-house problems.
In Sunday's disappointing loss, the Ravens dropped seven passes, lost three fumbles, threw two interceptions and gave up two blocked punts. Continued carelessness would play into the hands of the Texans, who upset the Steelers by scoring three defensive touchdowns.
The Ravens' increasing number of drops - two of which came inside the opponents' 20-yard line - has shaken up the offense the most.
"I can see by the look in Jeff's eyes that he doesn't have a lot of confidence in us right now," receiver Travis Taylor said. "We have to get that confidence somehow, some way."
While the drops can be corrected in practice, Billick said he is at a loss as how to fix the team's fumbling troubles. The Ravens have coughed up the ball 16 times this season, tied for most in the NFL with St. Louis and Minnesota.
Running back Jamal Lewis, who lost the ball twice Sunday, tops the team with seven fumbles on 293 carries.
Billick indicated that putting Lewis through contact drills is not an option this late in the year and that benching him would only hurt the team.
"It's like the cop that pulls a gun on a jaywalker. Is he really going to use it?" Billick said. "What am I going to do? Threaten Jamal and tell him that he's not going to play? That's silly. He doesn't want to fumble. No one feels worse about the fumbles than Jamal."
The defense has been a factor in the Ravens' recent bumbling, with the team committing three penalties inside the red zone that helped the Saints to two touchdowns.
The most blatant occurred toward the end of the first half when cornerback Chris McAlister got in a scuffle with New Orleans rookie receiver Donte' Stallworth.
The melee had many wondering which player was the veteran and which was the rookie.
"That's one of those bonehead things," Billick said.
The Ravens, though, have no reason to be upset about their current situation.
All-Pro linebacker Ray Lewis is scheduled to have surgery on his left shoulder today, and his team has gone 4-4 in his absence. The Ravens have stayed in contention despite having the league's 29th-ranked offense and 23rd-ranked defense.
"All you can ask for in December is, please God, let my team have a possibility [to make the playoffs], however remote it may be," Billick said. "That's where we're at, and that's where we will focus on."
Next for Ravens
Matchup:Ravens (6-7) vs. Houston Texans (4-9)
Site:Reliant Stadium, Houston
When:Sunday, 1 p.m.
TV/Radio:Ch. 13/WJFK (1300 AM), WQSR (102.7 FM)
Line:Ravens by 3
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