The National Football League announced the 2010 schedule today, giving Ravens fans their first look at the forthcoming year.
Monday 9/13 @ New York Jets (L)
Sunday 9/19 @ Cincinnati (L)
Sunday 9/26 Cleveland (W)
Sunday 10/3 @ Pittsburgh (L)
Sunday 10/10 Denver (W)
Sunday 10/17 @ New England (L)
Sunday 10/24 Buffalo (W)
Bye
Sunday 11/7 Miami (W)
Thursday 11/11 @ Atlanta (L)
Sunday 11/21 @ Carolina (W)
Sunday 11/28 Tampa Bay (W)
Sunday 12/5 Pittsburgh (W)
Monday 12/13 @ Houston (L)
Sunday 12/19 New Orleans (W)
Sunday 12/26 @ Cleveland (W)
Sunday 1/2 Cincinnati (W)
Thoughts:
1) Back-to-back road games to start the year, including a Prime-time game, and a short-week on the 2nd-week? Really?
1a) The road opener against the Jets could be very important come playoff time for potential home-field advantage between the teams.
2) Five of the first seven games are on the road, which could benefit the Ravens to end the year – or could bury them early.
3) The Bye comes at a good time, being close to the middle of the year. It will be very important for the Ravens to beat Buffalo, and Miami at home before and after the week-off.
4) I hate the short-week game at Atlanta. The Ravens will have just gotten somewhat healthy after the bye, and had Miami at-home. Ideally Baltimore would be in position to start building momentum towards the end of the year. They will have to head to Atlanta with very minimal preparation.
4a) If there is a benefit to be had by that short-week, it is that the Ravens next game against Carolina is 10 days later. This might feel like a ‘2nd’ bye.
5) If I am the Ravens, I am also not thrilled about having back-to-back Prime-time games against Pittsburgh, and Houston – and then coming home on a short-week to face the Super Bowl Champs.
6) Early prediction is 10-6. (Bears watching to see if Big Ben will be available for Pittsburgh in Week 4).
Owner
Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.