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Regular season in five words or fewer: Playoff team with question mark

The Ravens clinched a playoff berth in Week 16, but no one really knows how good this team really is. Baltimore is struggling to score points without an injured Lamar Jackson, and the defense continues to have fourth-quarter collapses. The Ravens are 0-3 against teams that had winning records at the time, and Baltimore hasn't faced a team with a winning record since Week 6. If Jackson doesn't return close to full strength, it's tough to be optimistic about the Ravens' postseason chances.

The Ravens showed once again on Sunday night they do not close out teams at a championship level. This time it was the rival Steelers, who marched to the go-ahead touchdown in the final four minutes of the fourth quarter in a painful 16-13 loss for the home team at M&T Bank Stadium. The defeat underscores growing questions about how seriously this squad can be taken as a contender in the AFC. Late-game issues notwithstanding, the defense remains solid, but this offense is not good enough with Ty Huntley behind center. The uncertain status of Lamar Jackson (knee) hangs over this team like a dark storm cloud.

They can't score enough points without Lamar Jackson. Even so, they can still win the division by beating the Bengals.

One of the many teams in a tenuous spot due to the Hamlin incident, Baltimore can only win its division by beating Cincinnati if the Bengals were to subsequently lose to Buffalo if that contest resumes. It may all be moot given the ongoing mystery around QB Lamar Jackson's health.

Let's get the obvious out of the way: The Ravens need Lamar Jackson back. It's hard to say what their ceiling is with him anymore after he has missed this much time with a knee injury, with no word on whether he'll practice this week. The Ravens are masterfully coached and a tough defensive team, but it's hard to see them winning playoff games without Jackson.