In a season of living dangerously, the Ravens believe they can walk the tightrope all the way to the playoffs.

Including Sunday's 23-19 victory over the Houston Texans, the Ravens have won five of their seven games by a touchdown or less to surprisingly remain in playoff contention heading into Week 16. Their playoff picture can be painted like this: 12 days, two division rivals and no margin for error.

The Ravens (7-7) have to beat the Cleveland Browns (7-7) at home on Sunday and then root for the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5-1) to lose on the road to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night. If that happens, the Ravens would travel to Pittsburgh on Dec. 29 with the division title on the line.

In a year in which rookies have made game-saving interceptions and the number of injured starters can be counted on two hands, Brian Billick's team has already beaten the odds and even altered the coach's perspective.

A month ago, Billick called his 4-6 Ravens "a long shot at best" for the playoffs. Now, his thinking has changed.

"This is very doable," Billick said. "The bottom line is our road is very clear-cut, and how do you not go in there with confidence? We have to play a team [in the Browns] that we've already beaten once. It's not going to be easy, but we've beaten them.

"And Pittsburgh is Pittsburgh. They are the best, most talented team in the league. But I think we're a better team than when we played them before. Now, how much better? We'll find out."

Mathematically, the Ravens could still be in the playoff hunt even if the Steelers win in Tampa.

The Ravens would have to win the next two to finish at 9-7 and need several AFC wild-card contenders to falter. If one of the two wild-card spots came down to a tiebreaker, the Ravens would have the edge since their 7-3 conference mark is tied with the Oakland Raiders for best in the AFC.

But realistically, the Ravens see their best chance at a third straight trip to the playoffs going through Pittsburgh.

"[The wild-card picture] is a combination of events that I can't even fathom, but exist," Billick said. "It's much easier for us to focus on the immediate task that's very clear-cut: Win the next two games."

The Ravens have reached this point despite several hardships.

Seven starters have missed a combined 38 games this season. The team has had to do without All-Pro linebacker Ray Lewis most of the year. However, it has continued to overachieve, with 17 first-year players on its 53-man roster.

"We can quit talking about these young guys and the experiences because they've been through them," Billick said.

The rookies have stepped up more times than the veterans in crunch time this season.

The Ravens have sealed five wins with late fourth-quarter defensive stops, with rookies making pivotal interceptions in three of them.

Safety Ed Reed picked off a pass in the end zone as time expired in a 26-21 win in Cleveland. Safety Will Demps recorded an interception deep in Ravens territory with 10 seconds left in the game to close out a 17-10 victory over Jacksonville.

And two days ago, dime back Chad Williams put away the win in Houston with a diving grab with 1:57 remaining.

"We are doing what it takes to win and on some Sundays in this league that is good enough," linebacker Peter Boulware said. "We're still alive."

In contrast, the Browns are reeling after losing, 28-23, to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Cleveland lost a 16-0 halftime lead, surrendered 28 second-half points and failed to score after driving to the Colts' 10-yard line in the final minute.

Team president Carmen Policy even made a rare postgame locker-room appearance. Policy reportedly questioned whether the Browns need tinkering or an off-season overhaul.

"For this football team to come this far, this is a tough time," Browns coach Butch Davis said to Cleveland reporters. "This is a game that just kicks you in the gut."

Billick, who has qualified for the playoffs in eight of his 10 seasons as an NFL coach, said how a team handles the stress of the final month plays a major factor in how the playoff race unfolds.

"At this point in the season, everybody is emotionally and physically worn down," he said. "You can't help but be. How you handle the emotional fatigue of the season in December is a key part of going into the playoffs and doing well."

Next for Ravens

Matchup:Ravens (7-7) vs. Cleveland Browns (7-7)

Site:Ravens Stadium

When:Sunday, 4:15 p.m.

TV:Ch. 13

Line: Ravens by 3

SunSpot:For more coverage, visit sunspot.net/ravens