OWIMGS MILLS — The Ravens have one of the NFL’s toughest schedules in 2024, playing against teams that went a combined 155-134. Eight of those teams made the playoffs, including five division champions.
Here are the five most intriguing matchups:
1. Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs
Date: Thursday, September 5th, 8:35 p.m.
Breakdown: The game is a rematch of last season’s AFC championship and will kick off the 2024 NFL season. The game features some of the biggest stars in the NFL with Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, and Kyle Hamilton on the Ravens butting heads against Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Chris Jones of the Chiefs. The Ravens will look to get a measure of revenge after losing to Kansas City in the title game, 17-10. The Chiefs have won five of the past six meetings and lead the all-time series, 8-5.
2. Ravens at Los Angeles Chargers
Date: Monday, November 25th, 8:15 p.m.
Breakdown: This game could be dubbed the “2024 Harbaugh Bowl” with Jim Harbaugh taking over as head coach of the Chargers this offseason. The game is also intriguing because the Chargers signed or hired seven former Ravens players and coaches this offseason, including two running backs — Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins — and former offensive coordinator Greg Roman. John Harbaugh is 3-0 against Jim in their head-to-head NFL coaching matchups. Their last meeting was Super Bowl XLVII when the Ravens beat the San Francisco 49ers, 34-31, in New Orleans.
3. Ravens at Houston Texans
Date: December 25th, 4:30 p.m.
Breakdown: The Ravens will look to make their fans merry when they battle the Houston Texans on Christmas. The Ravens beat the Texans, 25-9, in the 2023 regular-season opener and emerged with a 34-10 victory in the divisional round of the playoffs. Now, the Texans will be a Super Bowl contender with quarterback C.J. Stroud running an offense that includes the addition of wide receiver Stefon Diggs. The game will be aired exclusively on Netflix. The Ravens became the first NFL team to play back-to-back road games on Christmas. Last year, the Ravens beat the San Francisco 49ers, 33-19, in prime time on Christmas.
4. Cincinnati Bengals at Ravens
Date: Thursday, November 7th
Breakdown: The Bengals will challenge for the AFC North title with quarterback Joe Burrow back in the lineup. Burrow has a rating of 98.5 with 1,879 yards, 12 touchdowns and four interceptions while going 3-4 in seven career games against the Ravens. The Ravens swept the 2023 series, so Cincinnati will look to get back on track.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers at Ravens
Date: Saturday, December 21st
Breakdown: The Ravens and Steelers have one of the best rivalries in the NFL, but these matchups have been one-sided recently. The Steelers have won six of their last seven meetings against the Ravens. However, the past 11 games between the teams have been decided by one score. The Steelers will have a new look with Russell Wilson at quarterback.
Honorable Mention
Washington Commanders at Ravens
Date: Sunday, October 13th, 1 p.m.
Breakdown: It’s always a fun battle when the Ravens meet their neighbors to the south — the Washington Commanders. The Ravens lead the all-time series 4-3 but Washington has won two of the last three matchups. The Ravens won the past meeting 31-17 in Washington. The Commanders have new ownership and are trying to shed almost a decade of disappointing seasons. A win over the Ravens would be a major boost to their confidence.
Cleveland Browns at Ravens
Date: Week 18, TBD
Breakdown: The Ravens and Browns have a strong AFC North rivalry and have played some entertaining games over the years. The teams split their games last year. However, Cleveland rallied from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Ravens, 33-31, at M&T Bank Stadium in Week 10. Baltimore leads the all-time series, 36-14.
Buffalo Bills at Ravens
Date: Sunday, September 29th, 8:20 p.m.
Breakdown: This game will be a potential playoff preview that features two of the best quarterbacks in the league, Josh Allen and Jackson. The Bills have won the last three games against the Ravens, including a 17-3 victory in the divisional playoff game in 2021.
