Fans of AFC playoff hopefuls waiting on pins and needles for the Baltimore Ravens to lose Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals got dealt a bit of harsh news. Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict has been ruled out with a shoulder injury, which usually results in amazing things for opposing offenses.
#Bengals have downgraded LB Vontaze Burfict (shoulder) to out. One fewer star as they try to spoil the #Ravens’ playoff party.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 30, 2017
Most recently, Burfict missed two games in Week 14 and 15 against the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings. Without him in the lineup, Cincinnati’s defense rolled over in both games, allowing 67 combined points and 828 yards. The Bengals are especially vulnerable against the run without Burfict, which bodes well for Ravens running backs Alex Collins and Javorius Allen this Sunday.
Baltimore is ahead of Buffalo, the Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Chargers in the playoff standings due to tiebreakers. All three teams enter the final weekend with records of 8-7. Meaning, if the Ravens win, then two of those three teams won’t get into the playoffs.