Here's one of the biggest surprises of the Ravens' 2019 schedule. Neither game against the Pittsburgh Steelers is scheduled for primetime.
When was the last time that happened? It was 2006, two years before Head Coach John Harbaugh arrived in Baltimore.
The two Ravens-Steelers games in 2019 are Week 5 at Pittsburgh (Oct. 6, 1 p.m.), and Week 17, the regular-season finale at M&T Bank Stadium (Dec. 29, 1 p.m.).
It would not be surprising to see the Week 17 Ravens-Steelers game flexed into primetime if the outcome has playoff implications. But for now, the Ravens have three primetime games on the schedule that was released Wednesday evening:
Week 9 vs. New England, Sunday Night Football
If it seems like awhile since Tom Brady and Bill Belichick visited M&T Bank Stadium, you're right. The Patriots' last trip to Baltimore was in 2013. Not only will the Ravens have a rare opportunity to host New England, but it will be the Ravens' first game following their bye in Week 8, giving Baltimore extra time to rest and prepare. This is the kind of game that gets attention from a national television audience – the defending Super Bowl champion against the defending AFC North champion.
Week 12 at Los Angeles Rams, Monday Night Football
You know former Ravens safety Eric Weddle will be stoked for this matchup after he was released this offseason and signed with the Rams. Baltimore had the No. 1-ranked defense in the NFL last season, while the Rams had the NFC's top-ranked offense led by quarterback Jared Goff and running back Todd Gurley. It's a glamour matchup between two teams that face each other just once every four years. It's the 14th Monday Night Football game during Harbaugh's era. Twelve have been on the road.
Week 15 vs. New York Jets, Thursday Night Football
Seeing linebacker C.J. Mosley in a Jets uniform after his five seasons in Baltimore will be different. For Mosely, it will feel odd when he heads into the visitor's locker room at M&T Bank Stadium. It will be a short week for both teams, as the Ravens will have just three days to get ready following their Week 14 road game against the Buffalo Bills. And instead of facing the Ravens wearing a Steelers' uniform, running back Le'Veon Bell will be darting and dashing for the Jets.
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.
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