Baltimore Ravens Week 9 rooting guide: Who to cheer
The Baltimore Ravens entered Week 9 at 4-5 and in last place in the AFC North, and the Ravens’ official site on Nov. 7, 2026, outlined which Week 9 outcomes would best help Baltimore’s playoff chances. The site noted the team still largely controls its own destiny but will benefit from favorable results elsewhere to climb the standings. It highlighted five specific matchups and explained how each result could affect Baltimore’s place in the AFC wild-card race. Readers should consider the publication date of Nov. 7, 2026, when reviewing the list.
The Cincinnati Bengals at the Atlanta Falcons in Madrid opened the list, and the site recommended Ravens fans root for the Falcons. The Cincinnati Bengals have won three straight games and beat Baltimore 35-13 in Week 7, while Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow produced a historic passing performance last week. The Atlanta Falcons have lost three of four and dropped an overtime game to the Ravens earlier in the season, and Michael Penix Jr. threw four interceptions in a loss to Tampa Bay last week. The site said a Falcons victory would be welcome to slow Cincinnati’s momentum.
The Cleveland Browns at the New Orleans Saints was the next matchup flagged, and the site advised fans to hope the Saints turn it around. The New Orleans Saints have lost four of five games since defeating Baltimore in Week 2 and rank 29th in points allowed. The Cleveland Browns were beaten 27-6 by the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, and Deshaun Watson cleared concussion protocol but was listed as questionable, opening the possibility that Shedeur Sanders could make his first start. The site noted Cleveland’s defense has not allowed a 200-yard passer since Week 4 and has forced a turnover in every game.
The Houston Texans at the Los Angeles Chargers was identified as a key game because Houston sits just behind Baltimore in the AFC wild-card standings, and the site recommended rooting for the Chargers. The site pointed out that Baltimore will host the Chargers at M&T Bank Stadium next Monday night and that any separation from teams close in the standings would benefit the Ravens. The Los Angeles Chargers had not scored an offensive touchdown since Oct. 11, and Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has thrown an interception in every game this season. Those trends made the Chargers an appealing pick for Baltimore supporters, according to the site.
The Green Bay Packers at the New England Patriots was listed as another outcome that could help Baltimore, and the site suggested rooting for the Packers. Both the Green Bay Packers and the New England Patriots had won four of their last five games entering Week 9, and a Packers victory could push the Patriots down the AFC wild-card standings. The Patriots feature a top-10 run defense while the Packers had not rushed for 100 yards in any game this season, even as Packers quarterback Jordan Love led the league in passing yards. The site recommended a Packers win to help Baltimore gain breathing room in the wild-card race.
The Las Vegas Raiders at the San Francisco 49ers closed the list, and the site recommended a 49ers victory. The San Francisco 49ers had allowed the fewest yards per rush in the NFL, while the Las Vegas Raiders had surrendered the most, and 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey was expected to play despite a hamstring issue. The site also noted the Raiders’ unusual distribution of running back touches after rookie Mike Washington Jr. received 25 carries last week compared with two for first-round pick Ashton Jeanty. A Raiders loss, the site said, could negatively affect Las Vegas’s standing in the AFC wild-card picture.
NFL Sports Blog Take
The Ravens’ official Week 9 rooting list underscores how tightly clustered the AFC wild-card picture is and how Baltimore’s fortunes remain tied to other teams’ results. With Baltimore at 4-5 and opponents such as Houston close in the standings, a combination of division rival losses and favorable outcomes in interconference games would help the Ravens climb back into stronger contention. The matchups highlighted by the Ravens’ site—particularly Cincinnati at Atlanta and Texans at Chargers—offer realistic opportunities for Baltimore to gain separation. Fans should track these specific results closely while Baltimore prepares for its upcoming home game against the Chargers.