Dolphins Overtake Ravens for Final AFC Playoff Spot

BALTIMORE — The Miami Dolphins knocked the Ravens out of the seventh and final AFC playoffs spot with a 20-3 victory over the New Orleans Saints in Week 16.

Baltimore (8-7) is still very much alive for the postseason, but now it needs help.

The Ravens need to beat the Los Angeles Rams (11-4) and Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7-1) over the final two weeks to put themselves in position for a playoff berth.

The Ravens would earn the seventh seed if they win out and the Las Vegas Raiders (8-7) and Dolphins (8-7) each lose at least one more game.

The Dolphins beat the Ravens 22-10 in Week 10 and hold the tiebreaker against them. Miami travel to the Tennessee Titans (10-5) and then hosts the New England Patriots (9-6) to close out the season.

The Raiders travel to the Indianapolis Colts (9-6) in Week 17 before hosting the Los Angeles Chargers (8-7) in the regular-season finale. The Chargers had a devastating loss to the Houston Texans (4-11) on Sunday.

The Ravens are also still alive for an AFC North title despite their 1-4 record in the division.

The Cincinnati Bengals would have to lose to the Kansas City Chiefs (11-4) and Cleveland Browns (7-8), which would open the door for the Ravens to win the crown.

The Bengals can clinch the AFC North this week with a win over the Chiefs or a Ravens loss against the Rams and a Steelers tie versus the Browns).

Ravens coach John Harbaugh is hopeful he can get some key players back in the lineup, namely Lamar Jackson, Devin Duvernay and Justin Houston, for the final playoff push.

"We’re going to focus on the last two [games of the season], see what we can get accomplished these last two games and see if we can work our way into the playoffs," Harbaugh said. "That’s what we’ll be fighting for, and I’m excited about that opportunity. We’re going to do everything we can to make that happen."