The Baltimore Ravens received exactly one lucky break from NFL schedule makers, as they have more net rest days than their opponents. Outside of that, John Harbaugh and the rest of the franchise will have to overcome a brutal tidal wave of difficult matchups right after one another.
The Ravens have a whopping six standalone games, a stretch in which they play three games in 10 days, and a season-opening game on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs. Like many fans, the Ravens themselves seem to be less than thrilled with these facts.
CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones claims the Ravens are quite perturbed with the hand they were dealt this season, especially as it pertains to primetime games. Jones mentions that during the John Harbaugh era, 18 of the 22 Monday Night Football games the Ravens have played have been on the road.
Baltimore is also ticked off with having a late bye, becoming the first team in NFL history to play consecutive road games on Christmas Day, and being forced to play three October road games against 2023 playoff teams in the Bengals, Browns, and Buccaneers. These are some firm grounds for complaint.
Over at @NFLonCBS: The Baltimore Ravens are less than thrilled with their 2024 schedule pic.twitter.com/OwFyDL3bs2
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) May 16, 2024
Baltimore Ravens upset by very challenging 2024 schedule
The Ravens should be equally upset with their comically difficult start to the season. In addition to their road duel with Kansas City in Week 1, the Ravens’ Week 3-5 schedule includes a road game against the Cowboys, a primetime duel with Josh Allen’s Bills, and a tussle with Joe Burrow’s Bengals.
The Ravens only play five games next season against teams with losing record, three of which come from their inter-divisional games against the AFC West. Getting a first-place schedule in the NFL can be a very bittersweet present, and the Ravens are feeling the brunt of that.
With Kansas City showing they can win a Super Bowl with a bunch of tomato cans at wide receiver, Burrow returning to full health in Cincinnati, and the Jets building a competitive roster to celebrate the return of Aaron Rodgers, the path to an AFC crown will be very difficult.
At least Baltimore has more than enough weapons on both sides of the ball to overcome this daunting schedule. Ravens fans may not like the fact Baltimore will have to fight through a murderer’s row to secure the top seed, but other contenders are likely also dreading their games against the Ravens.