The Baltimore Ravens were the most consistently dominant team in the NFL during the 2023 regular season. They finished with the best record, going 13-4 and earning home-field advantage throughout the postseason.
Baltimore ripped off a six-game winning streak toward the end of the season before their backups lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 18. Returning to the field after their bye week, the Ravens will now begin their quest for a Lombardi Trophy with a matchup against the Houston Texans.
Oddsmakers aren’t giving the Texans much of a chance in the game, as the Ravens have been installed as favorites as big as 10 points. This will be a rematch from Week 1 of the season, which Baltimore won 25-9, but the teams are much different now than back in September.
Houston has a high-flying offense led by rookie phenom quarterback, C.J. Stroud. It will be fun watching him duel against the presumed league MVP, Lamar Jackson. Where the Ravens have the biggest advantage in the game will be on defense, where they have arguably the stingiest unit in the NFL.
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If the Ravens can get past the Texans, they will host the winner of the other Divisional Round matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills. They are currently the heavy favorites to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl, as PFF has given Baltimore a 41.6 percent chance to win the Conference Championship.
The only team with a higher percentage is the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC with a 46.8. However, it is the Ravens who have the highest chance of taking home the Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl 58.
According to PFF, Baltimore has a 24.1 percent chance to win the big game. The 49ers are right behind them at 22.1 percent. In third is the Bills at 19.1 percent. There is a rather fall drop off after that, with the Chiefs being 10.3 percent.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, not surprisingly, is the Texans. They have only an 8.0 percent chance of winning the AFC Championship and a 3.4 percent chance of winning the Super Bowl. Not surprising as their road would include a road victory over the Ravens and then a trip to Buffalo or Kansas City before facing, based on the percentages, the 49ers.
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