Buffalo and Kansas City are generally considered to be the big favorites in the AFC – destined to meet in the conference championship game. But I’m wondering if the Ravens can’t crash that party. They’ve looked very good on the road the last two weeks, winning comfortably at Tampa Bay and New Orleans, and they’ve got an awfully favorable remaining schedule – arguably the easiest in the league.

Baltimore’s next seven games are all against teams with losing records. They’re remaining opponents are currently a combined 24-44-0. Strictly by wins and losses, that’s by far the worst record in the league. (Though Kansas City, I notice, also has an easy remaining schedule.)

At 6-3, the Ravens are currently a game behind Buffalo and Kansas City in the pecking order. The Bills have the advantage of having won head-to-head meetings against both teams, but their most important player is dealing with a troubling elbow injury.

On the NFC side, if Green Bay and New Orleans are able to overcome 3-6 starts to make the playoffs, they’ll need to do so despite having the hardest remaining schedules.

The complete numbers after Week 10 …

STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE (Weeks 10-18)
TeamWLTPct
Baltimore24440.353
Atlanta29420.408
Kansas City31431.420
Arizona30370.448
New England30370.448
Seattle30370.448
Tampa Bay32380.457
Pittsburgh36421.462
Carolina32370.464
Miami31351.470
LA Chargers35391.473
Las Vegas35391.473
San Francisco38410.481
Buffalo38400.487
Tennessee37381.493
Detroit39390.500
Minnesota38381.500
Cleveland39381.506
LA Rams39380.506
Denver38370.507
NY Jets36330.522
Cincinnati35320.522
Philadelphia41351.539
Dallas40342.539
Houston42331.559
Chicago38290.567
Jacksonville37281.568
Indianapolis37261.586
NY Giants43302.587
Washington38261.592
New Orleans41270.603
Green Bay40260.606

—Ian Allan