The Ravens noticed what can occur when the whole lot clicks in 2023. Lamar Jackson stayed wholesome, Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen shaped a star-studded linebacking duo and Kyle Hamilton cemented his place among the many high safeties within the league.
The consequence was an AFC-best 13-Four file that featured dismantling wins over the Texans, Lions, 49ers and Dolphins, all groups that wound up taking part in in January.
But for all of the success, there was one evident downside: Baltimore nonetheless got here up shy of the Tremendous Bowl. Jackson and the Ravens have battled the notion that they struggles within the playoffs, and after getting the first-round bye and throttling the Texans within the divisional spherical, the Ravens have been shut down by the Chiefs within the AFC championship sport.
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That expectation to interrupt by way of and ship the two-time MVP his crowning postseason will not be going anyplace in 2024. The Ravens, already boasting probably the most well-designed dashing assault within the NFL, added probably the most bodily operating again within the league in Derrick Henry. In addition they introduced again Justin Madubuike to keep up one of many NFL’s most dominant inside defensive traces within the NFL.
Baltimore additionally did its common work of cleansing up within the draft, taking standouts like cornerback Nate Wiggins and vast receiver Devontez Walker who had fallen to as soon as once more earn glowing grades for its class. Wiggins brings a a lot wanted presence to enhance the nook room, whereas Walker ought to give Jackson one other standout deep menace amongst his vast receivers.
The Ravens head into the 2024 season as a transparent Tremendous Bowl contender. That are the groups standing between them and a title?
Here’s a full breakdown of the Ravens’ 2024 schedule, together with dates, begin instances, and evaluation for his or her slate of video games.
Baltimore Ravens schedule 2024
The Ravens’ full schedule shall be introduced at eight p.m. ET Wednesday, Might 15, as a part of the NFL’s schedule launch. Their opponents for the 2024 NFL season shall be as follows:
- Dwelling: Bengals, Browns, Steelers, Broncos, Raiders, Raiders, Payments, Commanders, Eagles
- Away: Browns, Ravens, Steelers, Cowboys, Chiefs, Chargers, Giants, Buccaneers, Texans
Ravens energy of schedule
The Ravens confronted a troublesome schedule in 2023, with opponents ending the yr with a mixed .543 successful proportion, third-toughest within the NFL. That did not cease Baltimore from going 13-Four and capturing the highest file within the AFC.
Subsequent yr’s schedule seems on observe to be almost as difficult. Sharp Soccer grades Baltimore as having the fourth-toughest 2024 schedule based mostly on projected Vegas win-loss totals.
Ravens prediction 2024
Hardest assessments: Any discuss of the Ravens’ 2024 schedule has to start out with the division. The AFC North as soon as once more initiatives to be a gauntlet with the Bengals getting again a wholesome Joe Burrow, the Browns making enhancements across the roster and the Steelers upgrading at quarterback and popping out with a stellar draft class. That can make for not less than six difficult video games subsequent season.
However there are extra challenges exterior the division as properly. Baltimore earned a first-place schedule for 2024, which implies dealing with the Payments and Texans, the previous at house and the latter on the street. The AFC North groups additionally play the whole AFC West and NFC East groups, which for the Ravens will imply street clashes in opposition to the Chiefs and Cowboys, plus a house tilt with the Eagles. None of these shall be straightforward.
Largest breaks: The intense facet for Baltimore is that the AFC West and NFC East additionally each have a number of groups coming off brutal seasons which can be eyeing rebuilds. The Broncos, Raider,s and Chargers are all seeking to hit the reset button after a dismal 2023, and the previous two haven’t got nice solutions at quarterback going into the season. The Giants made the playoffs two years in the past, however Daniel Jones was nearly changed within the draft. Washington may need its quarterback of the longer term, however the Commanders are nonetheless not a Tremendous Bowl contender.
Whereas drawing the Payments and Texans are powerful opponents, dealing with the Buccaneers might provide an opportunity for the Ravens to have a pleasant draw in opposition to a first-place group. Of the first-place NFC groups, Tampa Bay ought to provide the best matchup. Many will doubtless peg the Falcons because the hardest of the NFC East foes to face in 2024.
Backside line: When the Ravens have a perennial MVP candidate in Jackson, the sky is the restrict. He has proven any time he is performed a totally wholesome season simply how dominant Baltimore can get.
There are going to be another questions for Baltimore, nonetheless. The receiving room acquired a lift from rookie Zay Flowers, however nonetheless lacks different top-tier gamers which can be in Cincinnati and Cleveland. Henry is a big addition on paper, however he is additionally a 30-year-old operating again, an age at which many on the place start to expertise some drop-off. Baltimore additionally faces questions at guard defending Jackson and lacks a star pass-rusher on the defensive position that every of the opposite three AFC North groups possess.
That is nonetheless a group greater than able to successful the Tremendous Bowl, and one that may discover itself as the favourite to repeat as AFC North champions. Repeating as a division winner shall be a problem given the first-place schedule and the little room for error with the opposite three squads, however Baltimore nonetheless has as a lot expertise as any group within the NFL on its roster.
Report prediction: 11-6
