First of all, for you one-stop shoppers, here's the Ravens' 2019 schedule:
| Week/Date | Opponent | Time/TV |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1, Sept. 8 | @ Miami Dolphins | 1 p.m. (CBS) |
| Week 2, Sept. 15 | Arizona Cardinals | 1 p.m. (FOX) |
| Week 3, Sept. 22 | @ Kansas City Chiefs | 1 p.m. (CBS) |
| Week 4, Sept. 29 | Cleveland Browns | 1 p.m. (CBS) |
| Week 5, Oct. 6 | @ Pittsburgh Steelers | 1 p.m. (CBS) |
| Week 6, Oct. 13 | Cincinnati Bengals | 1 p.m. (CBS) |
| Week 7, Oct. 20 | @ Seattle Seahawks | 4:25 p.m. (FOX) |
| Week 8 | BYE | |
| Week 9, Nov. 3 | New England Patriots | 8:20 p.m. (NBC) |
| Week 10, Nov. 10 | @ Cincinnati Bengals | 1 p.m. (CBS) |
| Week 11, Nov. 17 | Houston Texans | 1 p.m. (CBS) |
| Week 12, Nov. 25 | @ Los Angeles Rams | 8:15 p.m. (ESPN) |
| Week 13, Dec. 1 | San Francisco 49ers | 1 p.m. (FOX) |
| Week 14, Dec. 8 | @ Buffalo Bills | 1 p.m. (CBS) |
| Week 15, Dec. 12 | New York Jets | 8:20 p.m. (FOX/NFLN/AMAZON) |
| Week 16, Dec. 22 | @ Cleveland Browns | 1 p.m. (CBS) |
| Week 17, Dec. 29 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 1 p.m. (CBS) |
So here are my five takeaways:
There have been years when you go, "Wow, that's tough," in reaction to some challenge or quirk of the scheduling gods being foisted on the Ravens, be it a weeks-long road trip, a difficult stretch run or something that makes your eyes widen. But the Ravens have little to complain about this year. Their schedule is perfectly balanced, alternating home and road contests throughout. Two of the three prime-time games are at home, including a Sunday night matchup against the defending Super Bowl champions. The start is relatively forgiving, featuring a road-and-home doubleheader against teams that won a combined 10 games last season and changed head coaches. In fact, four of the first six games are against teams that changed head coaches after a losing 2018. Is the schedule entirely lovable? Of course not. The Ravens will face three conference finalists from 2018. A Monday night game in California (against the defending NFC champions) means a very short week will ensue. Two overall trips to the West Coast is two more than the Ravens have made in some years. Generally, though, while the caliber of the opponents is high, they've been given a fair and workable 2019 schedule.
For the first time since dinosaurs roamed the planet (actually 2006), neither game between the Ravens and Steelers is slotted for prime time. A sign of changing times? I suppose you can take it as such, as the great rivals have combined for just one conference title-game appearance in the past six years. In 2019, they'll meet in Pittsburgh in early October, similar to a year ago, and the rematch in Baltimore is set, deliciously, for the final Sunday of the season. If I'm the Ravens, I love that. Their season usually comes down to a must-win finale, and they'll be hosting their great rivals. It wouldn't surprise me to see that game get flexed into prime time, extending the streak of at least one Ravens-Steelers game per year being played under the lights. And by the way, a week before they finish the season against the Steelers, the Ravens will conclude their road schedule in Cleveland against a Browns team many believe might surpass them and everyone else in the division this year. No doubt, the schedule-makers have set the stage for some great season-ending drama in the AFC North.
The best home game on the schedule is, of course, the New England Patriots' first visit to Baltimore since 2013. For sheer marquee wattage, you can't do much better than hosting the reigning Super Bowl champions on Sunday Night Football. Baltimore will surely be fired up for the matchup on November 3, in no small part because the rivalry between the teams has taken place almost exclusively on New England's home turf. They've played 13 regular season and postseason games since the Ravens kicked off in 1996, and nine of those 13 games have unfolded with the Patriots as the home team. I'd say it's only right that the Ravens also get to host now and then, and this time, as a bonus, the Ravens will be coming off their bye-week break, giving them extra time to prepare for Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, etc.
Here's a scouting report and what to expect from the Ravens' 2019 opponents.
Week 1, Sept. 8 @ Miami Dolphins
2018 record: 7-9
Additions: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, TE Dwayne Allen, CB Eric Rowe
Losses: QB Ryan Tannehill, OT Ja'Wuan James, DE Cameron Wake, WR Danny Amendola, RB Frank Gore
Key matchup: WR Seth Roberts vs. CB Xavien Howard
Breakdown: The Dolphins appear to be rebuilding. However, they'll be eager to give their new head coach, Brian Flores (formerly the defensive coordinator of the Patriots), a win in his first game.
Week 2, Sept. 15 vs. Arizona Cardinals
2018 record: 3-13
Additions: LB Terrell Suggs, LB Jordan Hicks, CB Robert Alford
Losses: CB Antoine Bethea, DE Markus Goden, G Mike Iupati
Key matchup: OT Ronnie Stanley vs. LB Terrell Suggs
Breakdown: Ravens fans will see Suggs in M&T Bank Stadium to open the home schedule after all. The Cardinals also have a new head coach in Kliff Kingsbury, who will bring a college-style offense. The Ravens will have had just one week of film to watch. The Cardinals could also have a new starting quarterback, as it's widely believed they'll pick dual threat Kyler Murray at No. 1 overall.
Week 3, Sept. 22 at Kansas City Chiefs
2018 record: 12-4
Additions: S Tyrann Mathieu, RB Carlos Hyde, DE Emmanuel Ogbah, CB Bashaud Breeland
Losses: OLB Dee Ford, C Mitch Morse, CB Steven Nelson, OLB Justin Houston
Key matchup: LB Patrick Onwuasor vs. QB Patrick Mahomes
Breakdown: The Chiefs are one of the best and most talented teams in the league. The Ravens nearly went into Arrowhead Stadium and pulled off a win last year, and this will be another shot to prove that Baltimore is among the AFC's elite.
Week 4, Sept. 29 vs. Cleveland Browns
2018 record: 7-8-1
Additions: WR Odell Beckham Jr., DE Oliver Vernon, RB Kareem Hunt, DL Sheldon Richardson
Losses: OG Kevin Zeitler, S Jabrill Peppers, DE Emmanuel Ogbah
Best matchup: CB Marlon Humphrey vs. WR Odell Beckham Jr.
Breakdown: The Browns are the Vegas favorites to win the AFC North and are getting Super Bowl buzz after their big-name additions. Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh said they have the most talented team in the division. The Ravens will be looking to show they're still the division's elite.
Week 5, Oct. 6 @ Pittsburgh Steelers
2018 record: 9-6-1
Additions: LB Mark Barron, WR Donte Moncrief, CB Steven Nelson*
Losses:* WR Antonio Brown, RB Le'Veon Bell, OT Marcus Gilbert
Key matchup: CB Marlon Humphrey vs. WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
Breakdown: The Steelers lost two of the best offensive playmakers in the NFL, but they still are led by Ben Roethlisberger and did just fine with James Conner as the lead running back last year. They'll still be a very tough team to beat.
Week 6, Oct. 13 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
2018 record: 6-10
Additions: LB Preston Brown*
Losses:* LB Vontaze Burfict, TE Tyler Kroft, OT Cedric Ogbuehi
Key matchup: CB Jimmy Smith vs. WR A.J. Green
Breakdown: The Bengals have a new head coach in Zac Taylor, the former quarterbacks coach of the Los Angeles Rams. It's a bit of a new era in Cincinnati, and it remains to be seen whether they could switch starting quarterbacks as well.
Week 7, Oct. 20 at Seattle Seahawks
2018 record: 10-6
Additions: G Mike Iupati, K Jason Myers
Losses: S Earl Thomas
Key matchup: S Earl Thomas vs. QB Russell Wilson
Breakdown: In what will be an emotional reunion for Thomas, the Ravens will travel to one of the league's toughest venues to face a team with a similar profile: mobile quarterback, heavy run game and in-your-face defense.
Week 9, Nov. 3 vs. New England Patriots
2018 record: 11-5 (Super Bowl champs)
Additions: DL Michael Bennett, WR Demaryius Thomas, TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins
Losses: TE Rob Gronkowski, WR Chris Hogan, DE Trey Flowers, WR Cordarrelle Patterson, OT Trent Brown
Key matchup: S Earl Thomas vs. QB Tom Brady
Breakdown: The defending Super Bowl champions will come to M&T Bank Stadium for a Sunday Night Football thriller. It's just the second time the Patriots have played in Baltimore since 2012. It will be a big test for Baltimore's defense going up against the (arguably) best quarterback of all-time.
Week 10, Nov. 10 at Cincinnati Bengals
2018 record: 6-10
Additions: LB Preston Brown*
Losses:* LB Vontaze Burfict, TE Tyler Kroft, OT Cedric Ogbuehi
Key matchup: WR Willie Snead IV vs. S Jessie Bates
Breakdown: The Ravens have won once in their past seven trips to Cincinnati. Even though the Bengals finished in last place in the AFC North in 2018 and don't have the look of a title-contending team on paper in 2019, they will give Baltimore a challenge in "The Jungle."
Week 11, Nov. 17 vs. Houston Texans
2018 record: 11-5
Additions: FS Tashaun Gipson, CB Bradley Roby, OT Matt Kalil, QB A.J. McCarron
Losses: FS Tyrann Mathieu, S Kareem Jackson
Key matchup: RT Orlando Brown Jr. vs. DE J.J. Watt
Breakdown: The Texans won the AFC South last year behind talented quarterback Deshaun Watson, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and a strong defense. They'll return a lot of their top weapons and once again be a big threat on multiple levels.
Week 12, Nov. 25 at Los Angeles Rams
2018 record: 13-3
Additions: S Eric Weddle, OLB Clay Matthews, QB Blake Bortles
Losses: G Rodger Saffold, S LaMarcus Joyner, ILB Mark Barron, RB C.J. Anderson
Key matchup: ILB Patrick Onwuasor vs. RB Todd Gurley
Breakdown: The defending NFC champions are explosive on offense and talent-rich on defense. It will also be a chess match with Weddle after he was released and signed by the Rams this offseason. The Monday Night Football showdown will be one of the Ravens' toughest road challenges.
Week 13, Dec. 1 vs. San Francisco 49ers
2018 record: 4-12
Additions: OLB Dee Ford, LB Kwon Alexander, RB Tevin Coleman, CB Jason Verrett
Losses: P Bradley Pinion
Key matchup: S Tony Jefferson vs. TE George Kittle
Breakdown: A lot of the 49ers' success will hinge on the return of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. They have one of the best tight ends in the league in Kittle and a good rushing attack. The 49ers will have to fly cross-country, but the Ravens will be coming off a Monday Night Football cross-country flight of their own from Los Angeles.
Week 14, Dec. 8 at Buffalo Bills
2018 record: 6-10
Additions: C Mitch Morse, WR John Brown, WR Cole Beasley, TE Tyler Kroft, RB Frank Gore
Losses: TE Charles Clay
Key matchup: CB Marlon Humphrey vs. WR John Brown
Breakdown: The Bills put more weapons around young quarterback Josh Allen, including a familiar face in Brown. Allen has the arm and Brown has the speed to be a problem. Plus, expect some frigid temperatures for a December game in Buffalo.
Week 15, Dec. 12 vs. New York Jets
2018 record: 4-12
Additions: LB C.J. Mosley, RB Le'Veon Bell, WR Jamison Crowder
Losses: G James Carpenter, CB Buster Skrine, K Jason Myers
Key matchup: RB Mark Ingram vs. LB C.J. Mosley
Breakdown: It will be a homecoming for Mosley, who surprisingly left Baltimore for a huge payday in New York. The Jets are an up-and-coming team with a second-year franchise quarterback (Sam Darnold) like the Ravens.
Week 16, Dec. 22 at Cleveland Browns
2018 record: 7-8-1
Additions: WR Odell Beckham Jr., DE Oliver Vernon, RB Kareem Hunt, DL Sheldon Richardson
Losses: OG Kevin Zeitler, S Jabrill Peppers, DE Emmanuel Ogbah
Key matchup: LB Patrick Onwuasor vs. RB Nick Chubb
Breakdown: The Ravens and Browns had a classic Week 17 game at the end of last year's regular season, sending Baltimore to the AFC North title. The rivals will face again in late December, this time in chilly Cleveland for a game that could have similar stakes.
Week 17, Dec. 29 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
2018 record: 9-6-1
Additions: LB Mark Barron, WR Donte Moncrief, CB Steven Nelson*
Losses:* WR Antonio Brown, RB Le'Veon Bell, OT Marcus Gilbert
Key matchup: S Earl Thomas vs. QB Ben Roethlisberger
Breakdown: The regular-season finale against the Ravens' chief rival in Baltimore. It doesn't get any better than that. This game could decide a playoff appearance and/or the division crown.
No doubt, opening against the Miami Dolphins (on the road) and Arizona Cardinals (at home) offers an opportunity for the Ravens to build some early-season momentum. They still have to win the games, but those are opponents they traditionally handle. (They've won five of their last six against Miami and four of their last five against Arizona.) But I'm thinking the Ravens might be even more excited about a part of the late-season schedule that also offers the possibility of well-timed success. After Thanksgiving, with the days growing short and winter enveloping the sport, the Ravens will open December with consecutive games against the San Francisco 49ers, who went 4-12 a year ago; the Buffalo Bills, who went 6-10 a year ago; and the New York Jets, who went 4-12 a year ago. That could give them a chance to build momentum heading into those season-ending games against the Browns and Steelers.
Quick thoughts: Another year without a home game on Monday night means the Ravens have played just twice at home on Monday Night Football since John Harbaugh became their head coach … Playing in Miami in early September probably will be hot, hot, hot, and playing in Buffalo in December probably will be cold, cold, cold. Too bad those trips couldn't be reversed … It's amazing Terrell Suggs will be back in Baltimore for the Ravens' home opener even though he now plays for Arizona. Sounds like a script that Suggs, the well-known movie buff, would approve of … Five of the Ravens' 16 games are against teams that made the playoffs last season, while six are against teams that amassed double-digit losses in 2018 … If anything about the schedule surprises me, it's that neither Ravens-Browns game is in prime time. I thought the networks would be all over Baker Mayfield vs. Lamar Jackson. Actually, an even bigger surprise is that alternating home-road setup, which is pretty remarkable. I'm guessing the Ravens would sign up for that every year.
