Here are ten thoughts about the Ravens 2013 Regular Seasons schedule that was released last night. I figured I’d add mine as well.
- One of the worst secrets of the past few weeks in regards to the schedule was who the Ravens would open against. It makes too much sense considering the multiple story-lines that would surround a Denver-Baltimore match-up to kick-off the season. Of course I’ll still be bitter about having the Ravens start on the road and I’ll keep it that way until the game is played. The NFL could have solved the issue but chose to let their wallets guide their decision making.
- With that in mind I think the schedule makers did a few favors for Baltimore and overall I have to say that I really like how the schedule unfolds for the Ravens as they attempt to defend their championship.
- There are four Prime-Time games on the schedule. One Monday night, Two Sunday night, and the crown jewel is a Thanksgiving night game at home against the hated Steelers. If the league was trying to make up for poor judgement considering the opening night debacle I think they did a fine job. The only question for me is, dare I risk leaving family to watch a black and gold beatdown in person or do I instead grab a third turkey sandwich and watch from the comfort of my sectional.
- Opening day will instead be pushed back a week to September 15th against the Cleveland Browns. This will probably have the feel of a Homecoming game as fans will celebrate their team’s Lombardi trophy one last time against a team that neither Joe Flacco or John Harbaugh has ever lost to in their careers.
- Week Three Baltimore welcomes one of the contenders that hopes to replace them as an AFC power in the Houston Texans. It also marks the return of Ed Reed, which should be an emotional reunion. My colleague Mike Randall mentioned on our show last night that the Ravens may think about announcing Ray Lewis for the Ring of Honor on that day to add something to the proceedings. It’s an interesting thought. If it doesn’t happen here I would agree that Ray most certainly goes in this season just as Jon Ogden did when his career came to a close.
- The BYE week is situated nicely around Week Eight. The Ravens will have finished three out of four on the road (Buffalo, Miami, Pittsburgh) when they get their week of rest during the last week of October. I’m glad that it comes after the Steelers roadie. The Ravens have won their the last three regular season meetings at Heinz but it’s always a physical affair and their record the week after they play Pittsburgh isn’t stellar.
- Their toughest tests will all be at M&T in 2013 (Patriots, Texans, Packers) and after playing Denver in Week One they won’t play another team that made the playoffs last season on the road until the final week of the season. That includes a rare three-game home-stand in late November. That’s incredibly good news for a team that has one of the best home records in the league over the past decade.
- The Jets are one of those teams that will enter the Bank in November. Will Rex Ryan be joining them? I guess the debate is finally over about who the Ravens should have hired as a head coach.
- After the Steelers game, I’m most looking forward to Belichick and Brady enduring a late season trip to Charm City in Week Sixteen. Most likely playoff seeding will be on the line and it will only be a few days before Christmas. What more could you ask for? A chance to send those two home on the losing end of a big game would be a start.
- Yet again the Ravens close out against the Bengals. I understand the idea of playing divisional rivals to end the season but this is third season in row. Baltimore doesn’t have a great record there either as they have lost the last 6 out of 8 meetings in the Jungle.
2013 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE
Date | Opponent | Location | Time | |||||
Thurs, Sept. 5 | at Denver Broncos | Sports Authority Field at Mile High | 8:30pm | |||||
Sun, Sept. 15 | vs. Cleveland Browns | M&T Bank Stadium | 1:00pm | |||||
Sun, Sept. 22 | vs. Houston Texans | M&T Bank Stadium | 1:00pm | |||||
Sun, Sept. 29 | at Buffalo Bills | Ralph Wilson Stadium | 1:00pm | |||||
Sun, Oct. 6 | at Miami Dolphins | Sun Life Stadium | 1:00pm | |||||
Sun, Oct. 13 | vs. Green Bay Packers | M&T Bank Stadium | 1:00pm | |||||
Sun, Oct. 20 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | Heinz Field | 4:25pm | |||||
Sun, Oct. 27 | BYE | |||||||
Sun, Nov. 3 | at Cleveland Browns | FirstEnergy Stadium | 4:25pm | |||||
Sun, Nov. 10 | vs. Cincinnati Bengals | M&T Bank Stadium | 1:00pm | |||||
Sun, Nov. 17 | at Chicago Bears | Soldier Field | 1:00pm* | |||||
Sun, Nov. 24 | vs. New York Jets | M&T Bank Stadium | 1:00pm* | |||||
Thurs, Nov. 28 | vs. Pittsburgh Steelers | M&T Bank Stadium | 8:30pm | |||||
Sun, Dec. 8 | vs. Minnesota Vikings | M&T Bank Stadium | 1:00pm* | |||||
Mon, Dec. 16 | at Detroit Lions | Ford Field | 8:40pm | |||||
Sun, Dec. 22 | vs. New England Patriots | M&T Bank Stadium | 8:30pm* | |||||
Sun, Dec. 29 | at Cincinnati Bengals | Paul Brown Stadium | 1:00pm* |
Matt Jergensen
Matt has lived in Maryland his entire life and is a graduate of Calvert Hall and Towson University. has always been an avid Baltimore sports fan. Since 2007, he has been writing and talking about Baltimore sports, especially the Ravens. His work has appeared on Ravens Gab, Russell Street Report, and he currently co-hosts a podcast “The Blitz- A Ravens podcast” with Brent Harris.