Streaking Ravens hang on to close in on playoff spot

BALTIMORE — The Ravens didn’t force a turnover, scored only two touchdowns and were dangerously close to going into overtime at home against the lowly Colts.

“We didn’t play our best game,” coach John Harbaugh readily acknowledged.

Though the Ravens’ performance Saturday was not particularly artistic, they perceived the final result to be a thing of beauty: Ravens 23, Colts 16.

Baltimore (9-6) scored on its first two possessions and held off the skidding Colts (3-12) in a windy, rain-soaked second half.

The Ravens will reach the playoffs as an AFC wild card by defeating the Bengals at home next Sunday. Striving for its first postseason berth since 2014, Baltimore has won five of six following a 4-5 start.

“We found a way to win it. That’s the thing, it’s a win,” Harbaugh said. “It doesn’t matter. You have to find a way to win in this league.”

Joe Flacco threw for 237 yards and two touchdowns, Justin Tucker kicked three field goals and the Ravens did just enough to squeeze out a victory.

Flacco, who went 29-for-38, has thrown for seven TDs with just one interception over his past four games.

“We’re a very excited, a very confident football team,” Flacco said. Vikings 16, Packers 0

The Vikings shut out an opponent for the first time in nearly a quarter-century, beating the injury-depleted Packers to stay in the hunt for a first-round playoff bye.

Stefon Diggs caught a 4-yard pass from Case Keenum just inside the back line of the end zone in the first quarter for the only touchdown. The Vikings (12-3) already have clinched the NFC North and can secure a bye if the Panthers lose or tie Sunday against the Buccaneers.

The Vikings forced an incompletion into the end zone on fourth-and-4 from the 14 early in the fourth quarter to turn away the Packers’ last, best effort to get into the end zone. Safety Harrison Smith ended another Green Bay drive with an interception at the Minnesota 5 late in the second quarter.

Minnesota left frigid Lambeau Field with its first shutout since a 13-0 win over Detroit on Dec. 5, 1993. It was the first shutout over the Packers (7-8) since Nov. 14, 1971.