Ravens Need A Christmas Present. Or Two.

In the spirit of holiday cheer, we're putting Sunday's debacle behind us and looking ahead. Bottom line: we need help going into the last week of the season if we're going to make the playoffs.

The scenario is precarious, but not impossible by any means. According to the numbers geeks at www.playoffstatus.com, the Ravens still have a 50-50 shot at making it to the postseason.

Basically, there are two different scenarios for us to get there. Both require the Ravens to beat the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium Dec. 28—that part, at least, doesn't seem like a big ask, right Santa?

First scenario: We beat Cleveland and San Diego (who came back from 21 points down against San Francisco this weekend, dammit!) loses on the road at Arrowhead Stadium against Kansas City. This could happen.

Second scenario: We beat Cleveland and Cincinnati loses to Denver tonight and the Steelers next weekend. This could happen, too. (But it would put us in the dubious position of rooting for Pittsburgh.)

So, the pins and needles stuff starts this evening, with Monday Night Football, hoping the Broncos—3.5 favorites—knock off the Bengals at the Jungle, as Cincinnati's stadium is known.

Oy vey.