Last Updated on December 19, 2011 5:06 pm by admin
(Eds: APNewsNow. Will be updated. With AP Photos.)
By DAVID GINSBURG
AP Sports Writer
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) – No team in the NFL relies so heavily on home-field advantage as the Baltimore Ravens, whose inconsistency on the road dumped them from the driver’s seat to the curb in their quest to earn the top seed in the AFC playoffs.
The Ravens (10-4) are headed to the postseason for the fourth straight year under coach John Harbaugh. In each of the first three seasons, Baltimore never got a chance to play at home, a scenario could occur again after the Ravens lost control of the No. 1 seed with Sunday night’s 34-14 defeat in San Diego.
Baltimore is 7-0 at home and 3-4 on the road.
The Ravens would have been assured a first-round bye and at least one home playoff game, perhaps two, if they finished 13-3.