Ravens lock up AFC's top seed, AFC North title with win over Dolphins

The Baltimore Ravens are the kings of the AFC — and the AFC North.

With their 56-19 win Sunday over the Miami Dolphins, the Ravens clinched the conference’s top seed along with the AFC North title. Along with the winner’s spoils of home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs, the Ravens have now secured the conference’s only bye to begin the postseason.

“I couldn’t be more proud of this football team,” head coach John Harbaugh said after the game. “I couldn’t be more proud of the fans man. … We have a lot more to do. We have a lot of work to do in front of us. This is a mature football team and they understand that.”

It’s the club’s first time accomplishing both feats since 2019. Harbaugh, quarterback Lamar Jackson and Co. are no doubt hoping for a far better fate than their 2019 campaign, though, as Baltimore was dealt an upset loss to the Tennessee Titans in the Divisional Round.

For now, the Ravens can celebrate the fifth division title in Harbaugh’s 16-year tenure.

Having locked up the first AFC playoff berth back in Week 15, the Ravens have now sewn up the conference’s first division clinch this season.

“It’s going to be valuable, there’s no doubt about it,” Harbaugh said on having the No. 1 seed and bye week. “Our guys are going to keep working hard and preparing to be ready to play. They’ll practice, they’ll lift and do all the things they got to do. That extra week is going to be very valuable.” 

Sitting at 13-3, the Ravens are ruling the NFL as of late, having run off six consecutive wins, with each of their last two over teams that are also playoff bound in the San Francisco 49ers and Dolphins.

Baltimore will wrap up the regular season at home against the archrival Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 18, with questions upcoming as to whether the Ravens will aim to carry their momentum through to the postseason or rest their starters for two weeks.