Why the Ravens could fumble away the AFC's No. 1 seed

With the Dolphins loss to the Titans on "Monday Night Football," the Ravens (10-3) now have full control of the AFC's No. 1 seed. However, here is why they could still lose it by the end of the regular season.

All four of Baltimore's remaining opponents have winning records (8-5 Jacksonville Jaguars, 10-3 San Francisco 49ers, 9-4 Miami Dolphins and 7-6 Pittsburgh Steelers) and would be in the playoffs if they were to start today.

That doesn't mean the Ravens are going to lose the rest of their games, but the fact is they have one of the toughest remaining schedules in the league, and the rest of those in the AFC who are trying to get the No. 1 seed are surely trying to take advantage.

First up are the Jaguars, who have one of the better pass attacks in the NFL, averaging the ninth most passing yards per game (242.9) and points per game (24).

Baltimore has already seen several injuries to its secondary this season, and now former first-round safety Kyle Hamilton's status is in question after suffering a sprained MCL in Week 14. He is considered "week-to-week" and will leave the defense vulnerable on the back end if he misses any time.

Then the team has arguably its toughest matchup of the year against the 49ers, who are the favorites to win it all this year. San Francisco seems nearly unstoppable as of late with the third best offense and best defense in terms of points per game.

Following the Ravens' road trip on Christmas day, they host the Dolphins on New Year's Eve. Miami will threaten Baltimore's defense again with the best offense in the league. However, if anyone is built to win a shootout against the Dolphins, it's the Ravens, although it won't be easy.

Baltimore then ends the regular season with a home game against the Steelers. Some may quickly chalk this one in the win column, but Pittsburgh has owned the rivalry as of late, winning six of the last seven meetings.

Nonetheless, the Ravens have established themselves as one of the best teams in the NFL this season. The path to owning the No. 1 seed is clearly not an easy one, but fans should find comfort that if they do own it by season's end, this could finally be the year they get back to the Super Bowl.