The Baltimore Ravens’ 2026 schedule is here!
We’ve known their opponents for a while, but now, we know exactly when and where they will be playing each game. Currently, their regular season wins over/under sits at 11.5, per FanDuel Sportsbook, tied with the Rams for the highest in the league. That is an ambitious goal for a first-time head coach with a first-time offensive playcaller, and I’m not sure the Ravens can get there. I’m projecting an 11-6 record, and here’s one way that could play out.
Week 1: Ravens at Colts on Sunday, September 13 at 1:00 p.m.
The Colts dropped 38 points on Jesse Minter’s defense last year, the most of any offense he faced. His debut as the Ravens’ head coach will be a shot at redemption as well as his first chance to win the confidence of, well, everyone. This could be a sneaky tough matchup if Daniel Jones is recovered from his Achilles injury, but Minter should be able to handle Anthony Richardson or Riley Leonard. Indy’s defense was suspect last year and did not add enough talent this offseason to stop Lamar Jackson.
Prediction: Ravens win, 27-20 (1-0)
Week 2: Ravens vs. Saints on Sunday, September 20 at 1:00 p.m.
Unless Tyler Shough takes a massive second-year leap, this should be the Ravens’ easiest matchup all year. The Saints offense is coming together nicely, but will they be ready for Minter’s defense this early in the season? Their defense, meanwhile, is very much a work in progress. This could be a blowout.
Prediction: Ravens win, 27-10 (2-0)
Week 3: Ravens vs. Cowboys on Sunday, September 27 at 4:25 p.m. in Rio Di Janeiro, Brazil
There’s a part of me that wants to believe that Lamar Jackson can turn into some version of Pelé for the NFL’s first game in Brazil. But I am obligated towards reason, and reason tells me that everything is too new, too early. The Cowboys had an underrated offseason and will not be the pushovers – literally – they were last year. Can a brand-new coaching staff handle the challenges of an international game against a strong opponent? Right now, I lean no.
Prediction: Ravens lose, 17-13 (2-1)
Week 4: Ravens vs. Titans on Sunday, October 4 at 1:00 p.m.
This is exactly the kind of game that the Ravens maddeningly lose early in the season. I struggle to see it happening in Week 1, but a fresh, motivated Titans team under a new head coach against the Ravens returning from Brazil after a disappointing loss? It would be on brand. The Ravens will be poised to win all game but fail to land the knockout blow with some expected early bumps for a young first-time offensive playcaller.
Prediction: Ravens lose, 21-20 (2-2)
Week 5: Ravens at Falcons on Sunday, October 11 at 8:20 p.m. (Sunday Night Football)
These two teams are surprisingly familiar with each other. Anthony Weaver and Tua Tagovailoa spent two years together in Miami, Kevin Stefanski used to coach in the AFC North, and of course, Dwayne Ledford came to Baltimore after five years in Atlanta. Whether it’s Tua or Michael Penix, the Ravens defense will come out with a vengeance, and Jackson will take over for the first time in the season.
Prediction: Ravens win, 34-17 (3-2)
Week 6: Ravens at Browns on Sunday, October 18 at 1:00 p.m.
Todd Monken has been nothing but genial about his departure from Baltimore, so this does not feel like a traditional revenge game. His familiarity with the Ravens on both sides of the ball will help him outfox their new coaching staff, and Shedeur Sanders will have his first highlight game as a pro.
Prediction: Ravens lose, 30-28 (3-3)
Week 7: Ravens vs. Bengals on Sunday, October 25 at 1:00 p.m.
Trey Hendrickson does get a traditional revenge game, leading a dominant pass rush that keeps a lid on the Bengals offense aside from, of course, a few huge gains by Ja’Marr Chase. Cincinnati’s new-look defensive line gives the Ravens some issues, but Jackson makes enough plays in the fourth quarter to hang on to the win.
Prediction: Ravens win, 20-14 (4-3)
Week 8: Ravens at Bills on Sunday, November 1 at 1:00 p.m.
The Bills will have home-field advantage coming off a bye, but the Ravens are due for a signature win. Josh Allen will put up a strong effort against Baltimore’s new-look defense, but another does of hero ball will result in a late turnover that allows Derrick Henry to seal the game.
Prediction: Ravens win, 28-24 (5-3)
Week 9: Ravens vs Jaguars on Thursday, November 5 at 8:15 p.m. (Thursday Night Football)
After expending all of their effort in Buffalo, the Ravens struggle to slow down the Jaguars offense given the tight turnaround. The offense is productive but not clinical and consistently leaves points on the board. Baltimore does not play poorly, but Jacksonville makes more plays in the second half to steal the win.
Prediction: Ravens lose, 20-16 (5-4)
Week 10: Ravens vs. Chargers on Monday, November 16 at 8:15 p.m. (Monday Night Football)
The Chargers, or as I like to call them, the Ravens’ West Coast satellite office, signed even more players out of Baltimore this offseason. But Minter knows all of their weak spots on offense, and their defense is still adjusting to life without him. And Jackson, once again, is the ultimate X-factor.
Prediction: Ravens win, 27-20 (6-4)
Week 11: Ravens at Panthers on Sunday, November 22 at 1:00 p.m.
The Panthers made some nice moves on defense this offseason, but barring a Bryce Young breakout, it is hard to see them having enough firepower to beat the Ravens. Carolina’s front seven slows down the run game, so Jackson moves the ball through the air and capitalizes on a few turnovers.
Prediction: Ravens win, 30-13 (7-4)
Week 12: Ravens at Texans on Sunday, November 29 at 1:00 p.m.
With such a dominant defense, even a moderate bounce-back from the Texans offense could make them a scary team in 2026. I’m expecting some improvements in the second year of a major OL rebuild and under OC Nick Caley, and that will be enough to win a gritty defensive game in which Houston’s talent wins out.
Prediction: Ravens lose, 17-14 (7-5)
Week 13: Bye
A relatively late bye will be crucial for the Ravens to gear up for their final stretch, which includes four AFC North games to close out the season.
Week 14: Ravens vs. Buccaneers on Sunday, December 13 at 1:00 p.m.
The departure of Mike Evans has left the Buccaneers offense surprisingly thin, but their defense looks excellent on paper. If Rueben Bain is on a mission to punish the teams that passed on him, Jackson could be in for a long game. But the Ravens are energized coming out of the bye and handily put away another NFC opponent.
Prediction: Ravens win, 24-14 (8-5)
Week 15: Ravens at Steelers on Sunday, December 20 at 1:00 p.m.
No one knows how to coach against the Ravens like Mike Tomlin. Comparatively, Mike McCarthy is a welcome opponent, especially in another year of quarterback hell uncertainty in Pittsburgh. The Steelers swept the Ravens in truly ridiculous fashion last year, and the new regime in Baltimore needs to make a statement by turning the tables right away.
Prediction: Ravens win, 20-14
Week 16: Ravens vs. Browns on Sunday, December 27 at 1:00 p.m.
With the playoff race tightening up, the Ravens take care of business at home at a Browns team whose front office has one eye on the 2027 quarterback draft class.
Prediction: Ravens win, 24-13
Week 17: Ravens at Bengals on Thursday, December 31 at 8:15 p.m. (New Year’s Eve, Thursday Night Football)
This is a brutally short turnaround for a divisional away game this late in the season. Legs will get tired in a shootout, and Cincinnati’s marginal advantages will prove to be crucial.
Prediction: Ravens lose, 35-31
Week 18: Ravens vs. Steelers, date/time TBD
This feels like a complete coin flip. Last year, it came up black and yellow; so maybe this year, it will be purple and gold.
Prediction: Ravens win, 27-24 (11-6 final record)
