How The Ravens Can Clinch The AFC North In Week 16

As the Ravens prepare for the San Francisco 49ers in Week 16, Baltimore has an opportunity to clinch the AFC North.

The Ravens entered Week 15 against the Jaguars knowing what they needed to do to clinch a playoff spot. A trio of Saturday games helped simplify the formula for Baltimore. Win and they were in.

And now, a week later, the formula to clinch the AFC North title for the seventh time in history and the second season in a row is equally simple. 

Baltimore can win the AFC North with a win and a Browns loss or tie, or with a tie and a Browns loss. The Ravens take on the 49ers in Santa Clara, while the Browns will visit the Texans this weekend.

While the formula is simple, the task at hand is not.

The 49ers boast the third-best run defense in the NFL, matching up against the Ravens' top-ranked rushing attack. But that No. 1 running game took a hit against the Jags last week when running back Keaton Mitchell was lost for the season with an ACL tear.

Baltimore will look to Gus Edwards and Justice Hill to maintain the ground attack while quarterback Lamar Jackson stays involved too. The Ravens will have the services of Melvin Gordon at their disposal too, as he was added to the 53-man roster after the loss of Mitchell.

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Gordon was impressive in the preseason for Baltimore and should help maintain their ground-game advantage. 

If the division crown is wrapped up this weekend, either by virtue of a Ravens win or Browns loss, the focus will move to locking down the No. 1 seed in the AFC and a first-round bye in the upcoming postseason.