NFL playoff picture: What the Ravens win over Bengals means for AFC standings in Week 15

Update: Baltimore's 24-0 win over Cincinnati eliminated the Bengals from playoff contention. Baltimore remains in both the AFC North and the AFC overall.

Previously: Two AFC North rivals will square off on Sunday when the Cincinnati Bengals host the Baltimore Ravens.

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The game, which could be played in cold conditions, has serious implications for both teams in the playoffs. One team could be eliminated from the playoffs entirely with a loss, while another could maintain momentum in the division with a win.

Let's break down the implications for the Ravens and Bengals in this playoff game.

Baltimore Ravens playoff picture

The Ravens need a win on Sunday to stay in the AFC North and keep their playoff hopes alive.

Right now, Baltimore is one game behind the Pittsburgh Steelers in the division, with Sunday's loss to Cincinnati and the Steelers winning the division. Monday night football over the Miami Dolphins – would leave Baltimore two games behind Pittsburgh in the division. And since the Steelers beat the Ravens last week, Pittsburgh currently has the tiebreaker advantage.

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However, Baltimore can match the Steelers with a win this weekend coupled with Pittsburgh's loss to Miami. Both teams will have 7-7 records with three games remaining. While the Steelers will still be in first place thanks to a win over Baltimore, the Ravens will be in much better shape.

Until you look at their respective schedules. The Ravens' final three games will be against the New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers and Steelers, with only the game against New England at home. After the Dolphins game, Pittsburgh finishes with games against the Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns and Ravens before the season finale takes place in Pittsburgh.

Cincinnati Bengals playoff photo

Things are pretty straightforward for the Bengals this weekend.

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With a loss in this game, Cincinnati is out of contention for the playoffs.

There is another scenario in which the Bengals could be eliminated from playoff contention this weekend. If the Bengals tie the Ravens and the Steelers beat Miami Monday night footballthen the Bengals are eliminated from playoff contention.

Why will the Bengals be eliminated with a loss to the Ravens? A loss would drop the Bengals to 4-10 with three games remaining, and they would be unable to catch any of the Wild Card contenders, all of whom now have at least eight wins.

As for the AFC North, if the Bengals lose on Sunday, the Ravens will improve to 7-7 and the two teams will split the season series. But even if the Bengals win and finish 7-10, and the Ravens lose their remaining games and also finish 7-10, Cincinnati will be eliminated. To resolve this issue, if two teams finish 7-10 and split the season series, the tiebreaker will move to the second stage. In the next tiebreaker—a division record—Cincinnati would maintain its lead and finish ahead of Baltimore.

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But they finished second in the AFC North to Pittsburgh.

Why? Even if the Bengals win from there and Baltimore loses its remaining games, one of Baltimore's remaining games will be against the Steelers.

This means that in a world where the Bengals win after losing to the Ravens on Sunday and Baltimore wins on Sunday and loses the remaining games so both teams finish with identical 7-10 records, Pittsburgh will win the division. The Steelers and Ravens play in Week 18, and the Steelers currently have a 7-6 record. This means that to complete this scenario, the Steelers must have at least eight wins, including a win over Baltimore in Week 18, to qualify for the AFC North.

Consequences of tiebreaker

The two teams met on Thanksgiving night, and the Bengals emerged victorious after Joe Burrow returned to the lineup.

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A win in Cincinnati would give the Bengals a season lead over the Ravens, which could come into play if both teams finish tied. As noted above, a Baltimore win would eliminate the Bengals from playoff contention.

AFC standings

Here's the AFC standings for Week 15:

2. New England Patriots (11-2)

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4)

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6)

5. Los Angeles Chargers (9-4)

13. New York Jets (3-10) – e

14. Cleveland Browns (3-10) – e

15. Las Vegas Raiders (2-11) – e

16. Tennessee Titans (2-11) – e

AFC North standings

Here's the current AFC North standings:

1. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6)

4. Cleveland Browns (3-10) – e