A Few Previews of Tonight's 2009 NFL Schedule Release

by Rexx on Apr 14, 2009 8:46 AM EDT

Don't forget that at 7pm tonight on the NFL Network and NFL.com, the league is releasing its 2009 regular season schedule. I will be sitting in front of the TV, as practice for Draft Day, to see what the schedule-makers have in store for us this season. Knowing that they always seem to show their distaste for the Baltimore Ravens by placing them in prime time as visitors at the worst possible time (team reunions, last games in stadium's history), hoping to see us get our blocks knocked off, I certainly expect a few unibrow-raising dates on our schedule.

However, you will see a schedule that is rated by the NFL as the 28th toughest in the league, based on 2008 records. The combined record of our 2009 opponents is 111-143-2 (.438). By comparison, the AFC North and Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers are facing teams with a combined record of 110-144 (.434), good for the 29th toughest schedule in the NFL. Of course, having to twice play both the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals certainly has a lot to do with skewing that winning percentage downwards for both us and the Steelers.At the same time, both the Browns (25th) and Bengals (22nd) play relatively easy schedules next season as well, sort of also skewed by having to play each other.

The easiest schedule in the league in 2009 belongs to the Chicago Bears, whose opponents had a sorry record of 105-149-2 (.414), while the league's toughest schedule is reward for the Miami Dolphins surprising 2008 season. The 'fins play teams with a combined record of a blistering 152-104 record (.594), the 3rd toughest schedule in the NFL since 2003 based on opponent's winning percentage.

If you want to read an interesting blog on ESPN, check out James Walker's AFC North blog on "Five Schedule Wishes" by clicking here. You'll agree with his tongue-in-cheek comments about the interesting scheduling tendencies of certain teams in the AFC North.

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Is there a live thread for this tonight?

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Apr 14, 2009 2:17 PM EDT reply actions

I'll be on...

I just plan to use this thread unless Rexx makes a new one.

by BAL_Hawk on Apr 14, 2009 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions

We can use this one

I’ll post the schedule as soon as it is out and then we’ll switch to that for any additional comments. Can’t wait to see who we open against, who’s our first home game, what prime time games we get and when do we play the Steelers.

Don’t forget Indy comes here (again), we go to the Pats and the Frozen Tundra….

Rexx

by Rexx on Apr 14, 2009 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions

I would love to get

Pitt and Indy at home on primetime. That would be my dream.

We will definitely player the Bears within the first games.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Apr 14, 2009 4:27 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed

Read James Walker’s blog to see that he agrees with all of that, and would like to see the Steelers come here on prime time and Cutler get tested by a top defense such as us. Besides, I’d prefer to get him before he jells with their offense.

Rexx

by Rexx on Apr 14, 2009 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Sunday Night Game vs. Pittsburgh

The big home game on prime time TV has been leaked by the league. Just heard through Gerry Sandusky on Channel 11 (WBAL-TV) that the Ravens will host the Steelers on Sunday night, November 29th (the Sunday after Thanksgiving) on national television. Gives us a chance to be the home team on prime time for a change in this rivalry! Perhaps we’ll bring back the old Colts or make it Jon Ogden Night on that evening, huh!?

Rexx

by Rexx on Apr 14, 2009 6:35 PM EDT reply actions