Overtake the Steelers and win the division.
The Steelers got out to an early lead in the division race last year, too. They were 8-2 through the first 10 games but dropped five of their last seven down the stretch. At 4-1, Pittsburgh is currently three wins ahead of Baltimore, but while the Ravens’ schedule lightens up, the Steelers’ gets tougher.
The Steelers have a divisional rivalry game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night. After that, there are games against the Packers, Colts, Chargers, Bills, and Lions still on the docket. Those five teams have a combined seven losses so far this season.
Meanwhile, the Ravens have the fifth-lowest strength of schedule in the NFL remaining (.442), with the strongest opponents being the Steelers (twice), Packers, and Patriots.
If the Ravens sweep the Steelers and run the table in the AFC North, Baltimore will have a strong chance to win the division for a third straight year.
The last team to make the playoffs after starting 1-5 was Washington, which won the division at 7-9. The NFC East was weak that season and Washington scored big road wins against division rivals Dallas and Philadelphia to take the crown.