The Baltimore Ravens are gearing up for a rough beginning to the 2024 NFL season, as they will start a campaign that features 10 games against teams who made the playoffs last season with two primetime games against AFC contenders. Apparently, things just can’t come easy for Baltimore lately.
The Ravens will once again be one of the must-watch attractions in the league. Not only will Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry team for what could be the best backfield in the league, but the defense features players like Roquan Smith and Kyle Hamilton heading into their prime.
These three games on the schedule immediately stand out as matchups the entire football world will have their eyes on. With some luck and timely production, the Ravens could show those who tune in that they mean business this year and are a very real threat to snatch the AFC crown away from the Chiefs
Baltimore Ravens schedule 2024: 3 best matchups fans must watch
Week 1 vs. Kansas City Chiefs (TNF)
The Ravens are getting hit with both barrels right off the bat. Not only do they have to play the reigning champions, but their meeting will be a road game on Thursday night in front of the entire NFL world. Baltimore’s postseason loss is still ringing around the state of Maryland’s collective consciousness.
The Chiefs are a more formidable offense this season. Even though the defense took a hit by losing L’Jarius Sneed to the Titans, Kansas City was able to pick up a major boost of speed in top pick Xavier Worthy and former Ravens draft pick Marquise Brown.
The Baltimore Ravens play the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1
Kansas City’s offense struggled against the Ravens in the postseason, and the base talent on that side of the ball could frustrate Patrick Mahomes again. This game could be decided by who ends up winning the battle in the trenches when Baltimore has the ball.
If the Ravens can ride the power of Henry and a new-look offensive line to a victory in this area, and John Harbaugh avoids getting too conservative early on in this game, Baltimore might be well-equipped to shut down the Chiefs and start the season with an unlikely 1-0 mark to their name.
Week 4 @ Buffalo Bills (SNF)
The Bills and Ravens mini-rivalry may not get the shine the Kansas City-Baltimore slobber knockers have typically accrued, but Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson are both good enough to singlehandedly overcome some of their team’s holes and drag them to victory.
Buffalo’s roster is weaker this season, as a perilous financial situation led to them having to cut some costs. Even with their depth being defanged, Allen is still in his prime. This offense could be skilled enough to take advantage of a Ravens defense that lost some big names in the offseason.
The Baltimore Ravens play the Buffalo Bills in Week 4
Within the first four games of the season, the Ravens will have gone on the road to play Kansas City, welcomed one of the best teams in the NFC to Baltimore in Dak Prescott’s Dallas Cowboys, and capped that whole affair off with a game against Allen in primetime. This has letdown written all over it.
The Bills’ secondary was remade on the fly in the last few months, as Micah Hyde, Jordan Poyer, and Tre’Davious White are no longer in town due to cap ramifications. A statement game from Zay Flowers and rookie Devontez Walker could end up helping Baltimore sneak by Buffalo under the Sunday Night lights.
Week 10 vs. Cincinnati Bengals (TNF)
Joe Burrow’s injury in primetime ruined the Bengals’ chances to compete in 2023. Now that he is back in the swing of things, Cincy can give Baltimore their best shot as they fight it out for supremacy of the AFC North.
The Bengals have some trade requests they need to navigate before playing the Ravens, as Trey Hendrickson (who has since recanted) and Tee Higgins are both trying to earn new contracts. The Bengals are still in a position to give Baltimore a run for their money, as Burrow’s downfield accuracy makes this offense so lethal at peak efficiency.
The Baltimore Ravens play the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 10
While the Browns have one of the best defenses in football and the Steelers should be more formidable now that Russell Wilson has upgraded over Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph at quarterback, no team in the AFC North is a bigger threat to Baltimore’s dominance of that division than Cincinnati.
A healthy Burrow not only makes Cincinnati a team capable of taking the North away from the Ravens, but he changes the whole calculus in the AFC. What better way to assert your claim to the division than by taking Burrow down in primetime?