The 2024 NFL schedule was officially released on May 15th and the Ravens will be tasked with defeating a total of 10 playoff teams from last season. The Ravens will kickoff the NFL season in primetime against the defending Super Bowl Champion Chiefs. In total the Ravens will play in five primetime games, and seven standalone games, including the Harbaugh brothers facing off on Monday night in week 12, their third matchup against each other as NFL head coaches. The Ravens will also play on Christmas for the second straight season, this time against the Houston Texans, whom the Ravens defeated in the divisional round of the playoffs last season.
Other notable matchups include games against number two overall selection in April’s NFL draft, Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, and number 12 overall selection Bo Nix, who was take by the Denver Broncos. The Ravens will also square off against the entire NFC East.
I made an initial prediction post in February after the Ravens opponents for the 2024 season were announced which can be found here. Nothing major has changed for the Ravens as far as roster construction other then the signing of running back Derrick Henry and the newest rookies including cornerback Nate Wiggins, taken by the Ravens in the first round of April’s draft. If anything the Ravens will need to show that they can overcome the losses they suffered this offseason, as the likes of wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., linebacker Patrick Queen, guard Kevin Zeitler and safety Geno Stone all left in free agency.
Week 1 9/5
Away vs Kansas City Chiefs (Thursday Night) 8:20 P.M. NBC/Peacock
W– The Chiefs are back-to-back Super Bowl champions, and most recently defeated the Ravens in the AFC championship to get into the Super Bowl last season. The Ravens-Chiefs rivalry has made for some must watch TV and I expect week one game one to be no different. The Ravens want to make a statement that they can compete with the Chiefs and there is no better way to show it then with a dominating win over the Chiefs to open the season. Bold prediction the Ravens will run the ball more then six times too.
Week 2 9/15
Home vs Las Vegas Raiders 1 P.M. CBS/Paramount+
W– The Ravens come home for their home opener against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders are not expected to be in contention in 2024, but could make things difficult for the Ravens following a big win in week one. However, with it the Ravens home opener as well as the Ravens having 10 days to recover and get ready for the Raiders will be the advantage in the end for a Ravens win.
Week 3 9/22
Away vs Dallas Cowboys 4:25 P.M. FOX
W– The Ravens travel to Dallas in week three to take on the Cowboys. The Ravens don’t face the Cowboys much with their last meeting coming in 2020 with the Ravens winning 34-17. I think the Ravens on paper are the better team and the momentum they have going from the first two weeks propels the Ravens to victory and a week three start.
Week 4 9/29
Home vs Buffalo Bills (Sunday Night) 8:20 P.M. NBC/Peacock
L– The Ravens welcome the Bills to Baltimore in week four, for a Sunday night matchup. Much like the Chiefs, the Bills have given the Ravens some tough games over the last several seasons. The first three weeks have been tough for the Ravens and a 4-0 start will be hard to achieve. If the Ravens are going to suffer their first loss its likely to come here.
Week 5 10/8
Away vs Cincinnati Bengals 1 P.M. CBS/Paramount+
L– The Ravens hit the road for their first AFC north matchup and just like in 2023 it comes against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Ravens and Bengals are expected to battle it out all season for the AFC norths top spot and a week five victory here could go a long way in doing so. The Ravens swept the Bengals in 2023, but it will be tough for that to happen again, I’ll give the Bengals the win at home.
Week 6 10/13
Home vs Washington Commanders 1 P.M. CBS/Paramount+
W– The Commanders make the short trip up to Baltimore in week six. By this point in the year Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels should be tested and have a grasp on what to expect at the NFL level. But the Ravens tend to fair really well against rookie quarterback and I see being the case here. Overall the Ravens should outmatch the Commanders and move to 4-2.
Week 7 10/21
Away vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Monday Night) 8:15 P.M. ESPN
W– The Ravens will play in their third primetime game in week seven as they travel to Tampa Bay to take on the Buccaneers on Monday night. The Ravens last met the Buccaneers in 2022 also on Monday night which saw the Ravens come away with the victory. I expect a similar outcome this season as the Ravens should out match Baker Mayfield and company on the road.
Week 8 10/27
Away vs Cleveland Browns 1 P.M. CBS/Paramount+
L– The Ravens travel to Cleveland to begin their AFC north gauntlet that includes playing three divisional games in four weeks. Much like the Steelers the Browns have been a tough matchup for the Ravens and at this point in the season the Browns should still be fairly health, especially at the quarterback position. I think the shorter week gives the slight advantage to the Browns, in what should be a close game that comes down to the end.
Week 9 11/3
Home vs Denver Broncos 1 P.M. CBS/Paramount+
W– Rookie quarterback Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos travel to Baltimore in week nine. By this point in the season it will be easy to tell which direction teams are going whether it be looking to push towards the playoffs or already planning ahead for next season. This is a good spot for the Ravens as the Broncos should be struggling by this point in the year with a rookie quarterback. Sandwiched between two AFC north divisional games, the Ravens should handle the young first round quarterback to secure their sixth win.
Week 10 11/7
Home vs Cincinnati Bengals (Thursday Night) 8:15 P.M. Prime Video
W– Much like 2023, the Ravens will see the Bengals for the second time in Baltimore and on Thursday night. Both teams will likely be fighting back and fourth for the top spot in the AFC north, and a win here can go a long way for any tiebreakers. The Ravens dropped their first game against the Bengals, but I will expect a playoff like desperation from the Ravens in week 10, and I expect a similar result to what we saw in 2023.
Week 11 11/17
Away vs Pittsburgh Steelers 1 P.M. CBS/Paramount+
L– The Ravens wrap up a tough four game stretch that saw them play three divisional games. While the Ravens will have plenty of rest coming off a Thursday game the prior week, I think it will be tough to beat the Steelers at home after such a tough game the prior week, even with the extra days of rest. Lamar Jackson is 1-4 against the Steelers in his career, looks like it will become 1-5.
Week 12 11/25
Away vs Los Angeles Chargers (Monday Night) 8:15 P.M. ESPN
W– The Harbaugh Bowl III. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh is 2-0 against his brother Jim, who returns to the NFL after time with the Michigan Wolverines. This week 12 matchup will have a lot of familiar faces as former Ravens Gus Edwards, J.K. Dobbins, and Bradley Bozeman all signed with the Chargers this offseason, while former Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman will be calling the shots for the Chargers offense in 2024. A big moment for the Ravens as they near December I expect the Ravens to flex there muscles against Jim and the Chargers to pick up their eight win.
Week 13 12/1
Home vs Philadelphia Eagles 4:25 P.M. CBS/Paramount+
W– The Eagles come to town in week 13 for a heavy weight matchup. The Eagles are looking to show that they belong not just in the conversation as one of the best NFC teams, but one of the best teams in the entire NFL. The Ravens however like making statements, especially against the top teams from the NFC. While the early expectation is this will be a close game, I think the Ravens dominate from start to finish picking up their ninth win ahead of the bye week.
Week 14 12/10
Bye Week
Week 15 12/15
Away vs New York Giants 1 P.M. CBS/Paramount+
W– The New York Giants are in rare territory as they are the only NFC team to have defeated Lamar Jackson since he became a starting quarterback. While the loss in 2022 to the Giants didn’t effect much for the Ravens or Jackson that season, and while the 20-1 record against NFC teams isn’t on the mind of Lamar Jackson. I know he wants some revenge for what happened in 2022, and expect the Ravens to do so in a dominate fashion in week 15.
Week 16 12/22
Home vs Pittsburgh Steelers (Saturday) 4:30 P.M. FOX
W– The Ravens square off against the Steelers for the second time in 2024, this time at home. The Ravens dropped the first meeting to the Steelers, and by this point in the year would likely need a win here to continue to keep pace for first in the AFC North. With a big game looming in week 16, it could be easy for the Ravens to be looking ahead, but I think it will do the opposite and help the Ravens overcome the kryptonite that has been the Steelers securing a much needed victory.
Week 17 12/25
Away vs Houston Texans (Christmas Day) 4:30 P.M. NETFLIX
W– The Ravens defeated the Texans twice last season, once in the regular season in week one, and the second time coming in the divisional round of the playoffs. The Texans were way ahead of schedule last season, and are expected to be even better in 2024. However, when the lights are the brightest Lamar Jackson seems to shine the best. The Ravens are hard to beat in December and I think they continue to have the Texans number, for now.
Week 18 Date TBD
Home vs Cleveland Browns Time TBD
L– The Ravens have struggled recently against the Browns especially at home. With this game towards the end of the year it could also mean another year of the Ravens having nothing to play for thus resting there starters. Assuming this game is best against best, I still think the Ravens end the year getting swept by the Browns.
The Ravens finish the 2024 regular season with a 12-5 record, and a 2-4 record in the AFC North. The AFC North is expected to be once again, one of the toughest divisions in football and that shows in four of the five Ravens losses coming to divisional opponents. But while the divisional record isn’t the best, and could keep them from claiming another AFC North crown. The Ravens will make up for it against the rest of their scheduled opponents for a record that while not good enough to claim another #1 seed most likely, it should comfortably put them in the playoffs for the thirs straight year.
Currently the Ravens have the second hardest schedule, but travel will be on their side as the Ravens will travel just 15,424 miles, the 11th least of any NFL team. With a first place schedule this season the Ravens will face eight teams that made the playoffs in 2023, including two games against the Browns and Steelers. Much like last season the Ravens will be battle tested in throughout the 2024 regular season, which will be extremely beneficial come playoff time.
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