Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh said he knows well the tough road the Ravens have to a playoff berth, but he welcomes the challenge and is ready to take the Ravens' run-heavy offense on the road to Los Angeles this week to face the first-place Chargers (11-3).
The game has huge implications for the Ravens, especially with the Pittsburgh Steelers beating the New England Patriots to stay a half-game ahead of the Ravens at 8-5-1. If the Steelers split their final two games -- at New Orleans and then home against Cincinnati -- the Ravens must win both their final two games to pass them and win the division title. The Ravens visit the Chargers Dec. 22 and then host Cleveland in the regular season finale Dec. 30.
Furthermore, splitting the final two games probably will keep the Ravens out of the playoffs, as it seems likely that either the Indianapolis Colts or Tennessee Titans will get to 10 wins; like the Ravens, they are each 8-6, but unlike the Ravens, they are favorites at home this week, and then they face each other the final week of the season.
