Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker
With the chances of winning the AFC North already gone this year, the Baltimore Ravens (4-4) find themselves in a crowded field competing for two wild-card spots.
Including the Ravens, 10 AFC teams have four wins or more this season. Four of those teams will win their respective divisions, while the other six will fight for the two remaining playoff slots.
The Ravens likely have to win at least six of their final eight games to have a shot at the postseason.
Baltimore has the toughest remaining strength of schedule in the AFC North this year, making it an even tougher climb. The Ravens might have to sweep the Pittsburgh Steelers in two games this year to keep pace.
Are the Ravens good enough to get hot in the second half of the season? Certainly.
But the uphill climb Baltimore created for itself is a daunting task.
Here is a current look at wild-card contenders:
AFC wild-card race
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)
San Diego Chargers (5-3)
Houston Texans (5-4)
Baltimore Ravens (4-4)
New York Jets (4-4)
Jacksonville Jaguars (4-4)
With the chances of winning the AFC North already gone this year, the Baltimore Ravens (4-4) find themselves in a crowded field competing for two wild-card spots.
Including the Ravens, 10 AFC teams have four wins or more this season. Four of those teams will win their respective divisions, while the other six will fight for the two remaining playoff slots.
The Ravens likely have to win at least six of their final eight games to have a shot at the postseason.
Baltimore has the toughest remaining strength of schedule in the AFC North this year, making it an even tougher climb. The Ravens might have to sweep the Pittsburgh Steelers in two games this year to keep pace.
Are the Ravens good enough to get hot in the second half of the season? Certainly.
But the uphill climb Baltimore created for itself is a daunting task.
Here is a current look at wild-card contenders:
AFC wild-card race
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)
San Diego Chargers (5-3)
Houston Texans (5-4)
Baltimore Ravens (4-4)
New York Jets (4-4)
Jacksonville Jaguars (4-4)
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
James Walker
Walker joined ESPN.com in 2008 after three seasons covering the Cleveland Browns for the Columbus Dispatch. He also covered the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Cavaliers at the Dispatch. Walker grew up in Hyattsville, Md., before attending Temple University, graduating in 2001 with a B.A. in communications and mass media. He resides in the Cleveland area.