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Baltimore Ravens Schedule Is Deceptively Tough

By Chris Schisler

Dec 20, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh watches from the sidelines against the Kansas City Chiefs at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh watches from the sidelines against the Kansas City Chiefs at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Why the Baltimore Ravens Schedule Is Tougher Than It Appears

When you look at the Ravens schedule, it’s hard not to be optimistic. In the Ravens first seven games, they play six teams that did not make the playoffs last season. In theory this means the Ravens should get off to a strong start, but their schedule is deceptively tough.

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While many people see the Buffalo Bills as the surprise team of the upcoming season, I am not buying it. Tyrod Taylor is not that good of a quarterback and they’re already having bad luck this off-season with injuries. The Ravens at home should be able to start 1-0.

The Ravens have two tough tests early in the season however. The Ravens play the Jacksonville Jaguars and Oakland Raiders in back to back weeks. The Jaguars have a young core of talent. Blake Bortles has been surprisingly impressive and he has weapons. The defense could be greatly improved with a healthy Dante Fowler Jr., Myles Jack and Jalen Ramsey.

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The Raiders look like a completely different team. Derrick Carr has been a rejuvenating force for his franchise. Amari Cooper is a dangerous receiver. The Raiders added Kelechi Osemele and Bruce Irvin in free agency. The Raiders will have a flashy offense and a defense that can rush the passer; Khalil Mack is one of the most feared edge rushers in the game.

I refuse to worry about the Browns, Redskins and Giants. These are all teams that need to give me a reason to see them as a threat. I would not look at the Jets game as an easy test though. The Jets defense is borderline dominant and they can run the football. They are a tough team and the Ravens have to play them on the road.

The Ravens have five of their divisional games in the second half of the season. The last two games of the regular season are on the road against the Steelers and the Bengals. In week 14, the Ravens battle the New England Patriots, again on the road.

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The second half of the Ravens season is a brutal gauntlet. The first half of the schedule may appear to be a favor for the Ravens. If the Ravens stumble early in the season, it only will get tougher as the big games come up. The schedule is not as easy as it may appear. For a team that has a history of losing a game they shouldn’t, this is at least a little troublesome.

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