Make playoffs? It’s win and in for Ravens

BALTIMORE — The formula for the Baltimore Ravens to gain entry into the postseason is simple: win their final two games.

Step 1 in that process is to defeat struggling Indianapolis (3-11) at home Saturday. Until that happens, claim the Ravens, they won’t be thinking about the finale against visiting Cincinnati.

“Everyone has blinders on,” safety Eric Weddle said. “We’re just focused on us and our opponent. All we can control is the Colts, and we’ll worry about everything else after that.”

A year ago, the Ravens also had to win their last two to get into the playoffs. Both those games were on the road, and a loss in Pittsburgh dropped Baltimore out of the running.

This time, the Ravens (8-6) are counting on home-field advantage to end their two-year postseason drought. They’re 58-20 at home under coach John Harbaugh, who took over in 2008.

“We’re ecstatic to be at home for the last two weeks,” Weddle said. “It’s a great opportunity to go out and play in front our fans, get the energy from them late in the season. It favors us, and we’ve got to take advantage of it.”

The Ravens used a 4-1 streak to put themselves in this enviable position, including beating winless Cleveland 27-10 last week. They face another struggling team with a raw quarterback.

Playing in place of the injured Andrew Luck, Jacoby Brissett has thrown seven interceptions, lost three fumbles and been sacked 49 times.

Colts coach Chuck Pagano, a former assistant in Baltimore, believes Brissett can handle the challenge.

“He is able to grasp more and more every week and is more comfortable, obviously, today than a month ago with his surroundings and his personnel,” Pagano said.

“He is making great decisions, he is taking care of the football, and he is managing things for us well.”

Brissett has thrown only three interceptions over the past six games, but the injury-riddled Colts have lost five straight and eight of nine.