BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Ravens charged into the postseason with a performance that typified their astonishing turnaround season.
Needing a victory to secure the final AFC wild-card berth, the Ravens built a 17-point halftime lead and never let up in a 27-7 rout of the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
Baltimore (11-5) could have backed into the postseason if Buffalo beat New England earlier Sunday, but the Patriots’ 13-0 victory meant the Ravens lined up for the opening kickoff knowing they had to win to get in.
Baltimore plays on the road next Sunday against AFC East champion Miami.
After taking a 24-7 lead at halftime, the Ravens kept pressuring the Jaguars, who committed four turnovers and were held to a season-low in points.
“We finished up a long, tough year,” Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio said.
A year ago, Baltimore went 5-11 and finished last in the AFC North. Yet the Ravens reversed their record, finishing the regular season with nine wins in 11 games.
“We have an opportunity to prove we’re the best team in the NFL,” coach John Harbaugh said. “That’s what we’re going to try to do.”
