The Baltimore Ravens might have kept their season alive with a 28-6 win over the Miami Dolphins, but no one in that organization is breathing a sigh of relief.
Why? Because at 3-5, the Ravens are still very much in peril as it pertains to the playoffs, and only a monster winning streak will suffice if John Harbaugh and his team are to punch their ticket.
Still, you have to start somewhere, and the wins over the Chicago Bears and now Miami have the Ravens on a two-game winning streak, so that is at least something.
And for Lamar Jackson, despite the win and momentum growing, it is still as you were from a mindset perspective.
“Yeah, I mean it's do or die, win or go home,” Jackson said. “Usually, we start off winning games and we never be behind, but right now we behind and we all got to step it up.”
More: Lamar Jackson gives huge credit to Ravens' star offensive trio in Miami win
Ravens' playoff mentality can't change
Sitting at 3-5, yes, the win over Miami was exactly what was needed. The Ravens can't rest because a loss next week against the Minnesota Vikings would put the franchise in a huge hole.
Also, still with five tough division games left, the Ravens can't afford to drop many games, if any, in the pursuit of playoff football.
Jackson is right, it is do-or-die for Baltimore, and each game is, for all intents and purposes, a playoff game. Win and the season is kept alive; lose, and depending on other results, the playoffs could be off the table or close enough to it.
That isn't a great place to live in the NFL, but that is Baltimore's reality.
Now it has to live that dangerous life for the next nine weeks.
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