The Ravens now know their summer plans.
The NFL has released the preseason schedule for 2016, and here's who the Ravens will face:
Week 1 (Thursday, Aug. 11): Carolina Panthers, M&T Bank Stadium
Week 2 (Aug. 18-22):at Indianapolis Colts, Lucas Oil Stadium*
Week 3 (Saturday, Aug. 27):Detroit Lions, M&T Bank Stadium*
Week 4 (Thursday, Sept. 1):New Orleans Saints, Mercedes Benz Superdome
The exact date for the Week 2 game in Indianapolis still has to be determined.* **The date for Week 3 meeting with Detroit is tentative.
The preseason schedule has some noteworthy matchups for the Ravens, starting with the opener against the defending NFC champions. That will be Carolina's first game since falling to the Denver Broncos 24-10 in Super Bowl 50.
That exhibition meeting might be another chance for wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. to go up against his former team again, perhaps for the last time of his career. He may not play depending on where he is in the recovery from a torn Achilles, but he could still bring a little extra emotion from the sidelines.
In the second game, the Ravens will play the Colts for the first time ever in the preseason. The Colts are coached by former Ravens Defensive Coordinator Chuck Pagano, and they are looking to bounce back after missing the playoffs last season.
The third preseason game, where the starters see the most action, will be a home matchup with the Lions. Detroit is coached by former Ravens Offensive Coordinator Jim Caldwell, and the Lions are coming off a 7-9 season.
It will also mark the first time that Baltimore will face off against defensive tackle Haloti Ngata after he was traded to Detroit last offseason. After being drafted by the Ravens in 2006 and being a defensive anchor for nine years, fans will likely give Ngata a warm welcome when he returns to M&T Bank Stadium.
The Ravens will wrap up the preseason in New Orleans, playing in the Superdome, where they hoisted the Lombardi Trophy four years ago. Baltimore also played the preseason finale in New Orleans in 2014.
The Ravens are 47-32 all-time in preseason play, and have compiled a 20-12 preseason record under Head Coach John Harbaugh.
