Ravens beat Bills, become first team in AFC to clinch playoff spot

Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz | USA TODAY

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The Baltimore Ravens have punched their ticket to the postseason.

With a 24-17 win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, the Ravens became the first AFC team to clinch a spot in the playoffs. The New Orleans Saints were the only NFL team to have secured a postseason berth prior to Sunday.

"I tried to make a big deal about it in the locker room, and the guys kind of gave me a smattering of applause," coach John Harbaugh said after the game. "They expected that; I think they've earned the right to expect that."

Quarterback Lamar Jackson had three touchdown passes, but he was held to his lowest rushing total (41 yards on 10 carries) since the season-opening win over the Miami Dolphins in which he carried the ball just three times for 6 yards.

Baltimore also remained in the driver's seat for home-field advantage in the AFC.

The Ravens will host the New York Jets on Thursday before closing out the final two weeks of the season against the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Follow Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz on Twitter @MikeMSchwartz.