As of 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17th, the NFL schedules were released. Here is a knee-jerk reaction to the Baltimore Ravens schedule.
Week 1: Ravens @ Miami Dolphins (CBS: 1 p.m.)
The Ravens have demolished the Dolphins in recent years. With the Dolphins falling to shambles in recent years and with the idea of tanking at the forefront of their front office, the Ravens could open the season with a resounding victory over the Dolphins.
Prediction: Ravens 27, Dolphins 14
Week 2: Ravens vs. Arizona Cardinals (FOX: 1 p.m.)
Regardless of who the quarterback is for the Cardinals in this game, the Ravens will certainly be favored by a touchdown. As a home opener, the Ravens will look to dismantle the Cardinals to exact revenge from the 2015 Monday Night game in Glendale.
Prediction: Ravens 34, Cardinals 17
Week 3: Ravens @ Kansas City Chiefs (CBS: 1 p.m.)
A rematch of one of the best games of 2018, Ravens-Chiefs is oddly slotted in a 1 p.m. window. This game may not live up to last year’s game due to potential Ravens defensive regression and Patrick Mahomes return to the mean, but Arrowhead will certainly be electric.
Prediction: Chiefs 31, Ravens 21
Week 4: Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns (CBS: 1 p.m.)
While the Browns were kings of the off-season with the acquisition of Odell Beckham, it is no easy task to beat the Ravens in Baltimore. The likely outcome of the Ravens-Browns series is a split, which hands the Ravens’ home game to the Ravens.
Prediction: Ravens 23, Browns 20
Week 5: Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (CBS: 1 p.m.)
A surprising anomaly with the game being scheduled for 1 p.m., both teams will look to take the first matchup of the season. As with the Browns, the Ravens will probably split with the Steelers, meaning a trip to Heinz Field could end in a defeat at the hands of the black and gold.
Prediction: Steelers 24, Ravens 16
Week 6: Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals (CBS: 1 p.m.)
The Ravens have not won back to back games against the Bengals since the final matchup of the 2011 season and the first matchup of the 2012 season. Baltimore has not been able to sweep the Bengals since 2011. The Ravens are almost required to sweep the Bengals in order to maintain contention in the AFC North as both the Steelers and Browns should sweep the Bengals.
Prediction: Ravens 31, Bengals 10
Week 7: Ravens @ Seattle Seahawks (FOX: 4:25 p.m.)
With Earl Thomas returning to Seattle, the Ravens have a difficult task ahead of them. Seattle is incredible at home, and the Ravens could be suffering after three consecutive divisional games. The Seahawks may not blow out the Ravens, but they should be favored by a few points.
Prediction: Seahawks 24, Ravens 19
Week 8: BYE
Through seven games, the Ravens should head into their bye with a record within a game of .500. If the Ravens suffer five losses (or more) in their first seven games, the season may be lost. However, the Ravens would be in a position to compete with the Browns and Steelers with five wins from seven, especially if the “Birds” can steal a head-to-head game against either team.
Prediction: The Ravens head into the bye at 4-3.
Week 9: Ravens vs. New England Patriots (NBC: 8:20 p.m.)
In a miraculous turn of events, the Ravens are hosting a Sunday Night Football game for the first time since 2012 (also against the Patriots). The Patriots are the defending champions, but Tom Brady has had relatively little success traveling into Baltimore. The Ravens need a big turnout at M&T Bank Stadium in order to ensure a critical win coming out of the bye.
Prediction: Ravens 24, Patriots 21 F/OT
Week 10: Ravens @ Bengals (CBS: 1 p.m.)
The Ravens MUST win this game in order to either keep up the momentum after beating the Patriots or end the bleeding from back-to-back losses. The Ravens are the better team on paper, but the Bengals always cause problems for the Ravens.
Prediction: Ravens 27, Bengals 20
Week 11: Ravens vs. Houston Texans (CBS: 1 p.m.)
While it is a home game, the Texans represent a fork in the road for the Ravens. A win over the Texans would significantly help the Ravens in their quest for a return to the playoffs. The Texans sport an effective all-around team with exceptional star talent, but is it enough to win in Baltimore?
Prediction: Ravens 24, Texans 21 F/OT
Week 12: Ravens @ Los Angeles Rams (ESPN: 8:15 p.m.)
The Rams are good. The Ravens will keep it competitive in their traditional way, but it is difficult to see the Ravens pulling out a win in Los Angeles barring a major change of plans in the latter part of the season.
Prediction: Rams 34, Ravens 20
Week 13: Ravens vs. San Francisco 49ers (FOX: 1 p.m.)
Another must-win game for the Ravens, Baltimore must take advantage of their eight home games. While the Niners will bring a talented offense to M&T Bank, the Ravens need to halt the likes of Jimmy Garoppolo and George Kittle.
Prediction: Ravens 28, 49ers 20
Week 14: Ravens @ Buffalo Bills (CBS: 1 p.m.)
Many of the Ravens away games are incredibly difficult. However, a trip to Buffalo could be a reprieve for the Ravens defense. With a young Josh Allen and an unproven offense, the Ravens will look to hold the Bills to a low score similar to Week 1 of the 2017 season.
Prediction: Ravens 20, Bills 17 F/OT
Week 15: Ravens vs. New York Jets (TNF: 8:20 p.m.)
A runner-up to the off-season champion label, the Jets have been heavily hyped going into the 2019 season. With the acquisition of Le’Veon Bell and C.J. Mosley, the Jets should be improved in 2019. However, the Ravens may be able to capitalize on an electric home crowd in a primetime environment and win another home game.
Prediction: Ravens 21, Jets 17
Week 16: Ravens @ Browns (CBS: 1 p.m.)
In traditional Ravens fashion, the Ravens will most likely split with the Browns. Returning to Cleveland, the likes of Baker Mayfield, Odell Beckham, and Nick Chubb could bludgeon the Ravens. This game predicts to be critical for the playoff hopes of the Ravens and the Browns, but this one probably goes to Cleveland.
Prediction: Browns 45, Ravens 13
Week 17: Ravens vs. Steelers (CBS: 1 p.m.)
In what could be the game of the year, the Ravens luck out with another Week 17 home game. Similar to 2017 and 2018, the game should be a competitive bout until the final whistle. While 2017 ended in heartbreak and 2018 ended in an iconic moment, 2019 may be the biggest of them all as both the Ravens and Steelers should be in playoff contention late.
Prediction: Ravens 31, Steelers 28
Initial Season Prediction: Ravens 11-5
Honestly, winning 11 games feels too high. The Ravens have been historically tremendous at home, but to predict a perfect 8-0 record may be a stretch. New England and Houston are obvious threats to the flawless home record, but the Jets and 49ers could also hurt any playoff hopes for the Ravens.
Unless the football gods bring major chaos, the Ravens should finish between 7-9 and 11-5. With a pair of divisional games to end the season, the Ravens will almost certainly be in competition for the AFC North late into the season, but sweeping the Bengals will contribute heavily to the Ravens repeating as AFC North champions.
