Ravens' playoff-clinching win proves costly

The Ravens (11-3) became the first AFC team to clinch a playoff berth this season with their 23-7 win over the Jaguars (8-6) on "Sunday Night Football." However, their impressive primetime win came at a cost.

Head coach John Harbaugh told reporters after the game that RB Keaton Mitchell, who was quickly ruled out with a knee injury after being carted off the field, suffered a "heartbreaking" season-ending injury.

"I was just in there and we were talking," Harbaugh said after the game. "He's just got a great attitude and demeanor about him. It's a guy that you want to see do well. He deserves to do well."

It's certainly a blow to the league's best rushing attack as Baltimore is averaging the most rushing yards per game (163.8).

Mitchell, an undrafted rookie in 2023, has been on fire for the last six weeks, posting 480 yards and two touchdowns. But the team will now need to turn back to Gus Edwards and Justice Hill, who have combined for 976 yards and and 14 touchdowns on the ground, as its lead backs.

The Ravens rush attack should be just fine as long as they have QB Lamar Jackson, but it is still a devastating injury as Mitchell proved to be a much more explosive option compared to Edwards and Hill.

Baltimore will have to prove just that in Week 16 when it takes on the 49ers (11-3), who are allowing the third least rushing yards per game (89.4), in what could be a preview of Super Bowl LVIII as both teams sit atop their respective conferences.

The Ravens have an inside track at owning the AFC's No. 1 seed, but it won't be easy with San Francisco up next and then the Dolphins (10-4) and Steelers (7-7) following.