After missing the playoffs for the first time since 2017 and suffering just the second losing campaign of the John Harbaugh era, the Ravens will open the 2022 season on the road against the New York Jets and are scheduled to receive less prime-time exposure than in recent years.
Having been scheduled for the maximum five prime-time contests in each of the previous two seasons, star quarterback Lamar Jackson and Baltimore are currently set to play just three night games in 2022 with two of those coming on the road. The Ravens will make their first prime-time appearance of the season hosting defending AFC champion and division rival Cincinnati for Sunday Night Football in Week 5, and they will play a Thursday game at Tampa Bay in Week 8 followed by a Week 9 Monday night game in New Orleans. Those back-to-back NFC South road trips will be followed by the Week 10 bye.
In a rare scheduling quirk, the Ravens will play four straight AFC East teams to begin 2022, which includes their Sept. 11 trip to MetLife Stadium to play the Jets, the first time these teams will meet in Week 1 since 2010. Baltimore will welcome Miami to M&T Bank Stadium for the home opener the following Sunday.
Playing just two AFC North rivals before the month of December, the Ravens will play four division games — three on the road — over the final five weeks of the regular season. Two of those games — the Week 15 trip to Cleveland and the Week 18 trip to Cincinnati — will be played on Saturday or Sunday of those respective weeks with the day and time to be determined. Baltimore won’t play either of its games against rival Pittsburgh until December for the second straight year.
The Ravens will play seven games against playoff teams from last season: Cincinnati (two), Pittsburgh (two), Buffalo, New England, and Tampa Bay. Meanwhile, they have six games against opponents who suffered 10 or more losses a year ago: Carolina, Atlanta, Denver, Jacksonville, the New York Jets, and the New York Giants. For what it’s worth after finishing in last place in the AFC North for the first time since 2007, Baltimore will play the NFL’s 10th-easiest schedule based on opponents’ 2021 winning percentage.
According to the NFL, the Ravens have the NFL’s third-shortest travel distance during the 2022 regular season (9,500 miles) with only the Steelers (6,442 miles) and Detroit (8,348 miles) traveling shorter distances. As of now, 12 of the Ravens’ 17 regular-season games are scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday starts, but many of these contests are subject to flexible scheduling, which can begin as early as Week 5 for Baltimore.
2022 SCHEDULE
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Sunday, Sept. 11 at New York Jets — 1:00 p.m. (CBS)
Skinny: This feels like a pivotal year for Jets general manager and ex-Ravens scout Joe Douglas, but former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco remains the backup to Zach Wilson and hasn’t faced Baltimore since being traded in 2019.
Sunday, Sept. 18 vs. Miami Dolphins — 1:00 p.m. (CBS)
Skinny: The ugly Thursday loss at Miami last November signaled all wasn’t well with the 2021 Ravens, but the Dolphins won eight of their last nine games and added the explosive Tyreek Hill to their offense, making this an interesting home opener if Tua Tagovailoa takes a step forward.
Sunday, Sept. 25 at New England Patriots — 1:00 p.m. (FOX)
Skinny: I’m surprised more folks weren’t injured hopping off the Patriots’ bandwagon late last season, but it’s still crazy that the Ravens will be aiming for their first regular-season win in Foxborough despite winning there twice in the playoffs.
Sunday, Oct. 2 vs. Buffalo Bills — 1:00 p.m. (CBS)
Skinny: Considered by many to be the early Super Bowl favorite, Josh Allen and the Bills will meet Baltimore for the first time since their playoff victory over the Ravens in Orchard Park two seasons ago, which would have made this one a fun prime-time affair.
Sunday, Oct. 9 vs. Cincinnati Bengals — 8:20 p.m. (NBC)
Skinny: The last five meetings between these AFC North rivals haven’t been close with the Bengals completing a lopsided season sweep for the first time since 2015 last year and Baltimore winning each of the three games before that in blowout fashion, leaving much intrigue for their first prime-time clash since 2018.
Sunday, Oct. 16 at New York Giants — 1:00 p.m. (CBS)
Skinny: By virtue of the NFL adding the 17th game to the schedule, the Ravens will meet the Giants for the second time in three years, which sounds much better than having to face the eventual Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams late last season.
Sunday, Oct. 23 vs. Cleveland Browns — 1:00 p.m. (CBS)
Skinny: Time will tell whether the Browns will have three-time Pro Bowl quarterback Deshaun Watson on the field for this first encounter, but his ability — and availability — will be the biggest wildcard in the AFC North this season.
8Thursday, Oct. 27 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 8:15 p.m. (Amazon Prime Video)
Skinny: This will probably be the second or third time I’ve wondered if this will be the final time the Ravens face Tom Brady, but we’re only talking about someone 24 years older than rookie safety Kyle Hamilton and still playing at an elite level. What’s the big deal playing him on the road on a short week?
Monday, Nov. 7 at New Orleans Saints — 8:15 p.m. (ESPN)
Skinny: There’s still plenty of talent on this roster, but it’s difficult to know exactly what to make of a Saints team without Sean Payton on the sideline, especially with enigmatic quarterback Jameis Winston returning from his 2021 ACL injury.
Sunday, Nov. 13 BYE
Skinny: The Week 10 break will eliminate the challenge of preparing on a short week after a Monday road game and comes at a good time after back-to-back road games against NFC South opponents.
Sunday, Nov. 20 vs. Carolina Panthers — 1:00 p.m. (FOX)
Skinny: I suspect the Bradley Bozeman Revenge Game won’t carry the same juice as Steve Smith welcoming his former team to Baltimore in 2014, but Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold probably isn’t looking forward to facing a loaded Ravens secondary.
Sunday, Nov. 27 at Jacksonville Jaguars — 1:00 p.m. (CBS)
Skinny: Even if you’re buying Doug Pederson being a godsend after the disaster that was Urban Meyer and 2021 first overall pick Trevor Lawrence taking a significant step forward as a result, there’s no excuse for the Ravens not to take care of business on this trip.
Sunday, Dec. 4 vs. Denver Broncos — 1:00 p.m. (CBS)
Skinny: Instead of a week of fans making fun of Vic Fangio and reminiscing about tying that rushing record that’s already been forgotten, the Ravens will be preparing for what could be a revitalized Russell Wilson, which doesn’t sound as enjoyable.
Sunday, Dec. 11 at Pittsburgh Steelers — 1:00 p.m. (CBS)
Skinny: For all the grief the retired Ben Roethlisberger took about his diminished arm over the last couple years, he won his final four games against the Ravens, giving the Steelers their longest win streak over Baltimore in roughly 20 years.
8Saturday or Sunday, Dec. 17 or 18 at Cleveland Browns — TBD
Skinny: For the second straight season, the Browns get to host a Baltimore squad coming off the always challenging trip to Heinz Field the previous week, but at least Cleveland doesn’t get to enjoy its bye between the two meetings like last year.
Saturday, Dec. 24 vs. Atlanta Falcons — 1:00 p.m. (FOX)
Skinny: There were times — the Michael Vick years, for example — when the Falcons coming to town would have been notable, but 2022 isn’t one of those occasions as ex-Ravens defensive coordinator Dean Pees will attempt to slow Jackson like his Tennessee defense did in the 2019 postseason.
Sunday, Jan. 1 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers — 1:00 p.m. (CBS)
Skinny: It used to be a surprise when neither Ravens-Steelers game is scheduled for prime time, but this marks the third time in four years both meetings are scheduled for the afternoon, which is why Pittsburgh is hoping first-round rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett will be the real deal replacing Roethlisberger.
Saturday or Sunday, Jan. 7 or 8 at Cincinnati Bengals — TBD
Skinny: A potential Week 18 showdown for the AFC North title that could be flexed to a prime-time spot? That doesn’t sound too shabby at all.
