Thanks to the Indianapolis Colts, the Ravens' playoff chances have improved.
The Colts' 35-31 win against the Jaguars at Jacksonville on Thursday night puts the Ravens as the sixth and final AFC seed at this point. If the Ravens win their final three regular-season games (home against the Chicago Bears and games at Pittsburgh and Oakland), they have a solid shot at earning a postseason berth for the second straight season.
If the Ravens win their remaining games, the only scenario that would bump them out is the Miami Dolphins wining the AFC East. The New England Patriots, who beat the Ravens on Oct. 4, would then receive the wild card based on their head-to-head meeting.
The Ravens, though, would hold the tiebreaker advantages over the Dolphins and the New York Jets in the wild-card race if all three finish 10-6.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh said he started watching the Indianapolis-Jacksonville game midway through the third quarter.
"You watch the game and you get a little excited about it," he said. "But then, it's over and what does it mean to us? It means we have to win all three games. Nothing changes for us."