The Baltimore Ravens are believed to have one of the lighter schedules heading into the 2026 NFL season. They have the ninth-easiest strength-of-schedule, and as a result, there could be a straightforward road back to the playoffs.
Still, that’s not to say the Ravens won’t have some tall tasks awaiting them throughout the year. There are a few big-time rematches, and their closing stretch could be especially tough. When it comes to these three games, they could determine Baltimore’s fate and might make or break their season.
3 Baltimore Ravens games that could determine their 2026 fate
Week 1 at Indianapolis Colts
I’m not going to sit here and tell you that the first game of the season is a must-win game for Baltimore. That’s silly to say for a team with a first-year head coach calling the shots. However, it could be very telling for how the Ravens’ 2026 campaign will go. It’s a highly anticipated matchup, as it’ll kick off the Jesse Minter era.
The Indianapolis Colts aren’t necessarily a feared team, but they were competitive last year until Daniel Jones went down with an Achilles tendon tear. He’s expected to be back for Week 1, and add in the fact that it’ll be a road game, and the Ravens could have their work cut out for them.
If Minter can leave the season opener with his first win as an NFL head coach, that should make life a whole lot easier. Hitting the ground running could be critical for Baltimore to bounce back and successfully make it back to the playoffs. It’s not the end of the world if Minter’s group falters early, but undoubtedly, a win here and shaking off those jitters could be instrumental to a big season in Charm City.
Week 10 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
After what should be an easy start to the year, the Ravens’ season starts getting difficult in late October and November. In Week 10, they find themselves on primetime against the Los Angeles Chargers: Jesse Minter’s old team. Minter will be looking to beat them on Monday Night Football.
This isn’t just for Minter, though. Sure, earning bragging rights against the team you coached for the past two years could give the 42-year-old some momentum, but it’s a game against a top AFC contender on national television. A win over that caliber of opponent as they get into the midst of the midseason grind could help a talented Ravens team take off and reach their fullest potential.
Week 15 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
While the Week 18 battle against the Pittsburgh Steelers has Baltimore feeling deja vu, the truth is, we should be hoping that game doesn’t matter. The hope is that the Ravens already have seeding locked up by then. It’s bold to say, but the team’s capable of getting that done. Week 15 in Pittsburgh is the one that should (hopefully) matter more.
Week 15 kicks off the four-game AFC North gauntlet to end the regular season for Baltimore. It’s not only crucial that the Ravens start that stretch off on the right foot, but it's also important to get a leg up on the Steelers for tiebreaker purposes. In the case that they slightly disappoint and find themselves in a neck-and-neck race with Pittsburgh, that tiebreaker could be huge during the final month of play.
In addition to all this, who wouldn’t love getting revenge on the Steelers by walking into their house and making a statement? That’s a game that needs to be circled in red.
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