Week 11 Rooting Guide: Best outcomes for Ravens with playoff picture developing

The Ravens are 8-3 and looking dominant again after Lamar Jackson threw two touchdown passes in the second quarter to help Baltimore beat Cincinnati 34-20 Thursday night.

The short week now allows John Harbaugh’s team to get some rest, and the weekend will provide fans of both teams ample opportunity to see plenty of other intriguing NFL action from the AFC and NFC.

The remaining Week 11 games offer an opportunity to root against rival AFC foes.  Baltimore could enter Monday night as the top team in the conference with a Philadelphia win over Kansas City.

With kickoff for the Sunday games fast approaching, here’s an updated rooting guide.

Current AFC playoff standings

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 16: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens throws a pass against the Cincinnati Bengals during the third quarter of the game at M&T Bank Stadium on November 16, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Kansas City Chiefs 7-2
Baltimore Ravens 8-3
Jacksonville Jaguars 6-3
Miami Dolphins 6-3
Pittsburgh Steelers 6-3
Cleveland Browns 6-3
Houston Texans 6-3

Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3) @ Cleveland Browns (6-3) — 1 p.m. ET — CBS

Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

Pittsburgh is the only team without a division loss, and although you don’t want to take comfort in another players injury, Cleveland could have an uphill battle on offense with quarterback Deshaun Watson out for the season.

The Bengals could be out of contention with Joe Burrows injury, and the Ravens could wrap up the AFC North against Pittsburgh on Jan 7 if not before.

Root for Browns

Philadelphia Eagles (8-1) @ Kansas City Chiefs (7-2)— MNF 8:15 p.m ET — ABC

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) scrambles with the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Feb. 12, 2023.Nfl Super Bowl Lvii Kansas City Chiefs Vs Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles have a brutal five-game stretch coming up, with matchups against the Chiefs, Bills, Niners, Cowboys and Seahawks. A Philadelphia win on Monday night would put Baltimore in the top spot overall within the AFC seeding.

Root for Eagles

Las Vegas Raiders (5-5) @ Miami Dolphins (6-3)— 1 p.m. ET — CBS

Nov 12, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell (4) attempts a pass against the New York Jets in the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

The Dolphins are 10-2 at Hard Rock Stadium under Mike McDaniel, while the Raiders should look to make this an ugly contest, while attempting to win three straight under Antonio Pierce.

Root for Raiders

Tennessee Titans (3-6) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (6-3) — 1 p.m. ET — CBS

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) tries to escape a sack by San Francisco 49ers defensive end Clelin Ferrell (94) during the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 34-3. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]

The Jaguars have been stout against the run, and they’re looking to pull away in the AFC South even after an ugly loss to San Francisco.

The Ravens are looking for homefield and the Titans can help, while giving Baltimore confidence for their December 17 matchup.

Root for Titans