Santa Came A Day Early For the Ravens on Saturday

The Ravens win over the Browns on Saturday was just what they needed in order to redeem themselves from their ugly loss in San Diego! As we approach the final game of the season, here is the Monday morning media buzz about the Ravens win, the injuries they suffered and the playoff stakes at hand:

ESPN

AFC North Blog: High-stakes finales in division - 

"The Ravens and Steelers, who are both 11-4, have already clinched a playoff berth but they have plenty at stake. One of these division rivals could end up as high as the AFC's top seed -- with a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs -- and one will finish as the No. 5 seed that has to play on the road in the first round."

AFC North Blog: Ravens failing to hit stride on playoff run - 

"The Baltimore Ravens are one win away from achieving all of their regular-season goals: the AFC North title, a home playoff game and a first-round bye. These are the rewards given to the best teams in the AFC. But, for the past two games, the Ravens are nowhere close to looking like the elite of the AFC."

AFC North Blog: Finales get flexed - 

"Both AFC North finales -- the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens atCincinnati Bengals -- carry playoff implications. That's why it's no surprise that both got moved to 4:15 p.m. ET kickoffs for next Sunday. Those games were originally scheduled for 1 p.m. So, by around 7:30 p.m. next week, we should know whether the Ravens or Steelers are the AFC North champions and whether the Bengals reached the playoffs."

RAVENS INSIDER - Aaron Wilson

Ravens rule roost, edge Browns to go undefeated at home

"Although the Ravens nearly squandered a commanding lead and transformed a routine game into something of an adventure in the fourth quarter, they generally thrashed the Browns on Christmas Eve to go undefeated at home this season."

Ravens notebook: Costly win for Baltimore - 

"It was a costly game for the Baltimore Ravens, suffering four injuries during their 20-14 win over the Cleveland Browns on Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium."

Baltimore Ravens report card - 

"QB: C-, RB: B+, WR: D+, O-Line: C+, D-Line: C, LB: D+, Secondary: C+, Special Teams: D+"

Ravens have playoff mentality - 

“It’s big, man.,” outside linebacker Terrell Suggs said when asked about the importance of playing at home. “We want a chance at winning, and you’ve got a better chance to do it when you’re at home. And our fans, I consider myself to be a player of the people, and we are our best team when we’re in M&T and our fans are rocking. So, we definitely need a home playoff game by any means necessary.”

WNST