news Ravens Capture First AFC North Title Since 2012 With Thrilling Win The 26-24 victory - BaltimoreRavens.com

The Ravens are going to the playoffs as champions of the AFC North.

Winning their first division title since 2012, Baltimore defeated the Cleveland Browns, 26-24, on Sunday to complete a successful late-season run into the playoffs.

In a thrilling game, Baltimore held on thanks to an interception by linebacker C.J. Mosley in the final minutes.

The Ravens (10-6) won six of their last seven games and will enter the postseason as one of the NFL’s hottest teams. It is their seventh playoff appearance and third division title under Head Coach John Harbaugh.

Entering the playoffs as the No. 4 seed, the Ravens will host the fifth-seeded Los Angeles Chargers either Saturday (Jan. 5) or Sunday. (Jan. 6).

The last time the Ravens won the division, they capped the 2012 postseason by winning Super Bowl XLVII.

“It’s not the top goal, but it’s definitely the first goal – we set it every year – is to win the division, to be division champions,” Harbaugh said last week. “We’ve had to weather some storms and overcome some challenges and win some games, and guys have done a great job.”

This is the fifth division title in Ravens history (2003, ’06, ’11, ’12, ‘18) and it appeared unlikely as recently as Week 11, when Baltimore still trailed the Pittsburgh Steelers by 2 ½ games. However, the Ravens hit their stride after a bye in Week 10, changing their offense dramatically when rookie Lamar Jackson took over at quarterback for an injured Joe Flacco.

The Ravens became the NFL’s best rushing team with Jackson under center, and Sunday’s victory was another example.

Baltimore rushed for a season-high 296 yards, Jackson rushed for two touchdowns, and backup running back Kenneth Dixon rushed for a career-high 117 yards on just 12 carries. Rolling to a 20-7 lead, Baltimore rushed for 179 yards in the first half, the fourth-highest rushing total for any half in team history.

Baltimore enters the playoffs with an excellent postseason track record under Harbaugh. In six previous playoff appearances, Harbaugh has never lost his opening playoff game, and his overall postseason record is 10-5.

Let's block ads! (Why?)