Finally, the Ravens’ schedule is set.
Here’s the complete 2024 schedule for the Baltimore Ravens:
- 9/5/24 at Kansas City, 8:20 pm (Thursday)
- 9/15 vs. Las Vegas, 1:00 pm
- 9/22 at Dallas, 4:25 pm
- 9/29 vs. Buffalo, 8:20 pm
- 10/6 at Cincinnati, 1:00 pm
- 10/13 vs. Washington, 1:00 pm
- 10/21 at Tampa Bay, 8:15 pm (Monday)
- 10/27 vs. Cleveland, 1:00 pm
- 11/3 vs. Denver, 1:00 pm
- 11/7 vs. Bengals, 8:15 pm (Thursday)
- 11/17 at Pittsburgh, 1:00 pm
- 11/25 at Los Angeles Chargers, 8:15 pm (Monday)
- 12/1 vs. Philadelphia, 1:00 pm
- 12/15 at New York Giants, 1:00 pm
- 12/21 vs. Pittsburgh, 4:30 pm (Saturday)
- 12/25 at Houston, 4:25 pm
- 1/5 vs. Cleveland, TBD
When Baltimore’s 2024 season begins in Kansas City this September, there will be aspirations of the Ravens potentially reaching New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX next February.
While the Ravens are talented enough to have dreams of the Crescent City; Baltimore will first have to earn their way back to the post-season, and that won’t be easy with a grueling regular-season schedule ahead of them.
According to strength of schedule, only the Browns face tougher opponents than the Ravens this year. In addition, Baltimore has to wait until Week 14 to get a week off and has to play on the road on Christmas Day for the second straight season.
They won’t have more than two consecutive road games, but they will have two “short” weeks. In early November, Baltimore hosts Denver on Sunday November 3rd, then hosts Cincinnati on Thursday November 7th. Later in the year, the Ravens host the Steelers on December 21st before heading to Houston to face-off against the Texans on Christmas (Wednesday).
In addition to their normal AFC North slate, the Ravens will contend against teams from the AFC West and NFC East, and while the biggest game to most in the season opener in Kansas City, I believe the biggest game is Steelers week away (Sunday November 17th).
What does a loaded schedule actually mean for the chances of the Ravens succeeding in 2024? Well, in 2023, Baltimore was given a tough schedule and produced the best record in the NFL. The Ravens lost only five games last year (playoffs included)—all of which by just one score. They had to finish the year with their toughest games: at San Francisco, versus Miami, versus Pittsburgh. Two wins, one loss (versus the Steelers in which most starters didn’t play), and a point differential of plus 44.
How about the coaching? Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken acclimated very well in his first season. So well, in fact, that Lamar Jackson won his 2nd MVP award. The Ravens offensive line will look very different this season, but their backfield got a huge boost with the addition of bulldozing running back Derrick Henry.
Where Baltimore may face some growing pains this season is on the defensive coaching front. The Ravens lost both Defensive Coordinator Mike MacDonald (Head Coach for the Seahawks) and Defensive Line Coach/Run Game Coordinator Anthony Weaver (Defensive Coordinator for the Dolphins) in the offseason. No big disruptions are expected, but you can’t take anything for granted in this league. Besides each of the 31 other teams are dealing with their own set of challenges.
Before getting to my personal predictions for this season, let’s take a look at what the Vegas oddsmakers thinks about Baltimore’s chances. The Ravens are listed as the 3rd-best favorite (+900) to win Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, behind only the 49ers (+550) and the Chiefs (+600). They are the favorites to win the AFC North (+140), which is always a good sign.
Speaking of good signs, if the Ravens can get to 10 wins this season, they’ll have an excellent shot at winning the division. No AFC North/Central division winner has had fewer than 10 wins since 1990 (a/t Vegas Insider).
Speaking of total wins, the Ravens are tied for the highest win total odds at 11.5. Sportsbooks in Las Vegas feel really good about Baltimore being one of the elite teams in football this season. Of course, they still need to play the games and execute in critical moments, but for now, all is well.
In case you’re not aware, I’m a high school football coach. So as a coach, I have an aversion to predicting wins and losses. It just feels weird. I’m so worried about assuming we’ll do well, or another team will do poorly that I just try to prepare as best I can and then execute as best I can on game days.
That said whether as a coach or a fan, you have some ideas as to how well a team will do. I won’t go game by game down the schedule, but I will say it would shock me if the Ravens don’t win at least 11 games, including four within their division. To be a team that was on the cusp of a Super Bowl just a few months ago and then under-achieve a few months later would be very alarming.
Lamar Jackson should be in the running for the MVP award again in 2024. If he does achieve that rare level of greatness, he will join Peyton Manning (5), Aaron Rodgers (4), Johnny Unitas (3), Jim Brown (3), and Tom Brady (3) as the only players ever to win the award at least three times. The best candidates are great players on teams with a few personnel obstacles to overcome. That is exactly what Jackson is—a great player that will have to lead a group of veterans, rookies, and new faces while fulfilling championship aspirations.
No matter what happens between now and September, just remember it’s a long season. The Ravens may not have had the draft you hoped they would. They may not start the season well (like last year when they started 3-2). They may lose a close game against a team you thought shouldn’t have even been in contention. Don’t panic. Stay the course.
Ravens fans, you ought to have as much hope as one fan base can have. You have an elite owner, front office, head coach and quarterback collective. You play in a winnable division and are battled-tested. Your players love the game and truly want to win.
Besides, we all know that more times than not, Baltimore shows up when it matters most.
Born in Baltimore, Mike had long been drawn to sports of all kinds. Growing up watching Cal Ripken play ever day gave him a great example for which to attack every endeavor he undertakes.
When the Ravens came to town, though, that’s when Mike found his passion. Since that time, he’s tried to gain every bit of knowledge he could. Now as a high school coach, Mike is able to take his film study and appreciation of the game to a new level.
To engage with Mike on social media, follow him on Twitter @MikeFastNFL.