The Baltimore Ravens have emerged as champions of the AFC North for the second consecutive season. Having already secured a playoff berth, the Ravens solidified their position atop the division with a commanding 35-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns. With a final record of 12-5, the Ravens currently occupy the third seed in the AFC.

The current standings in the AFC prior to the playoffs are as follows: The Kansas City Chiefs lead the conference with a 15-1 record and have clinched the AFC West, securing the No. 1 seed. Following them are the Buffalo Bills at 13-3, who have clinched the AFC East. The Ravens follow closely in third place, also having clinched the AFC North. The playoff picture is rounded out by the Houston Texans at 9-7, the Pittsburgh Steelers at 10-6, and the Los Angeles Chargers, who also sit at 10-6 with a Wild Card spot. Notably, teams such as the Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, and others continue to compete, while several teams have already been eliminated from playoff contention.

Questions arose at the time of the Ravens' signing of Derrick Henry, given that Baltimore already boasted the NFL's top rushing attack in 2023. Many speculated on the necessity of bringing in such a high-profile running back. However, the four-time Pro Bowler has undeniably elevated the performance of an already effective offense. Henry has accumulated 1,921 rushing yards and leads the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns, showcasing impressive performance levels at the age of 31, reminiscent of his 2,000-yard season with the Tennessee Titans in 2020. Alongside Henry, quarterback Lamar Jackson has also risen to prominence, setting personal records in passing yards (4,172) and touchdown throws (41) this season. With a quarterback rating of 121.6 and a QBR of 78.0, Jackson's performance under offensive coordinator Todd Monken has been exemplary, particularly in adapting his game to excel outside the pocket. Despite this success, the Ravens have experienced a pattern of playoff challenges since winning Super Bowl XLVII, participating in six postseason tournaments yet advancing to the AFC title game only once. Jackson, in particular, has faced scrutiny for his playoff performance, having thrown for 1,324 yards, along with six touchdowns and six interceptions over six career playoff starts. As the Ravens prepare for the impending playoff clash against the Bills, there remain concerns regarding Jackson's ability to perform in challenging weather conditions in Buffalo. Baltimore's pass defense is also a pressing issue, having allowed 248.5 passing yards per game—ranking as the third most in the league. With the potential for premier quarterbacks such as Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen to lead the competition in the playoffs, the Ravens will need both Henry's impactful contributions and improvements in their pass defense to pursue their championship ambitions, maintaining cautious optimism as they move forward.