Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh talked about how his team's "eyes are on the horizon" just minutes after slamming the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
What lies ahead are the two most important games on the Ravens' schedule. Playing on the road at Cincinnati and Pittsburgh represents a prime opportunity to send a message to the AFC North.
Sure, the Ravens became the unofficial champion of the NFC South by routing Carolina, Tampa Bay and Atlanta over the past four weeks. Winning by an average margin of 27 points against the worst division in the NFL has allowed the Ravens to forge an identity of a dangerous offense and a stifling defense. Joe Flacco is throwing touchdowns at a career record pace, and the Ravens' pass rush is striking fear into quarterbacks.
Now, it's time for the Ravens to take business in their own dysfunctional division. The Ravens (5-2) won't clinch anything if they win at Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, something they haven't done in the same season since 2011. But the Ravens can grab the AFC North by its throat if they can avenge a season-opening loss to the Bengals and complete a season sweep of the Steelers.
Based on the last few weeks, this division is theirs for the taking. The reeling Bengals (3-2-1) haven't won since Sept. 21 after starting 3-0. The third-place Steelers (4-3) have lost to two last-place teams in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cleveland Browns. And the Browns (3-3) fell to the previously winless Jacksonville Jaguars by 18 points only a week after hammering the Steelers.
The Ravens have proven to be the AFC North's most complete team in winning five of their past six games. Flacco is the NFL's eighth-highest rated passer (97.2), and Justin Forsett is the league's No. 5 rusher (71.9 yards per game). Their defense has allowed the fewest points in the NFL because of an oppressive pass rush and a physical run stoppers.
Harbaugh made it clear Monday that he doesn't want to hear any compliments. Whenever a reporter asked about a positive aspect of the team, Harbaugh responded with a one-sentence answer. The message is the Ravens aren't thinking of what they did the past few weeks. Like he said after Sunday's game, their eyes are squarely on the future.
"We have a lot of football to play, and we’re not a good enough football team right now to accomplish the things that we plan on accomplishing," Harbaugh said. "The ball is in our court. We need to go get that done.”
Of course, the Ravens' fortunes can easily go the opposite direction by losing the next two weeks. They will hand first place back over to the Bengals if they lose Sunday, and they only hold a one-game lead over the Steelers. On the other hand, the Ravens can essentially gain a two-game cushion over the Bengals and Steelers with two wins as well as improve to 4-1 within the division.
Once the Ravens get past these two division road games, the second half of the season sets up quite favorably. The combined record of the last seven opponents is 19-27 (.413), and there is currently only one team with a winning record in that stretch (the San Diego Chargers at 5-2).
That's why their games at Cincinnati and Pittsburgh are far from must-wins. But winning sends a statement that the AFC North is theirs.
Asked what he hopes to learn about his team over the next two games, Harbaugh said, "I’m looking forward to finding out. It’s a big deal.”