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The book is officially closed on the Ravens 2020 season following a 17-3 playoff defeat at the hands of the Bills last weekend. With this in mind, it’s never too early to begin thinking about what the future holds next season for the team.
We won’t know the Ravens 2021 schedule for quite some time, but we are already aware of which squads they will be playing and where. A lot can and will happen between now and September, but here’s a gander at Baltimore’s opponents next season.
The Ravens play the following teams at home:
Like this past season, the headliner from the slate of games at M&T Bank Stadium is another rematch against the Chiefs. The Ravens are still searching for their first win over Kansas City in the era of Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson. The Chiefs beat the Ravens by 14 points in Baltimore in Week 3 of the 2020 season, which was played on Monday Night Football.
The Ravens are also set to play host to another former MVP as well, one who is in the driver’s seat to win the award again in 2020: Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers has only faced off with the Ravens twice in his career, once in Green Bay and once in Baltimore, and the Packers won both games. The Ravens won 20-0 the last time these two teams played each other in 2017, but DeShon Kizer started that game at quarterback with Rodgers injured.
Perhaps the biggest sleeper matchup from this list is the scheduled contest versus the Chargers. The Ravens have not played the Chargers since the 2018 playoffs, but the Los Angeles team they’ll face in 2021 is much different. The Chargers now have a new head coach and quarterback, the latter of which will be the biggest draw in this game.
Justin Herbert may very well win Offensive Rookie of the Year after an impressive first-year campaign this past season. He’s an exciting young player and the quarterback matchup between him and Lamar Jackson could very well earn this game a spot in primetime.
The Ravens play the following teams on the road:
- Browns, Bengals, Steelers
- Raiders, Broncos
- Lions, Bears
- Dolphins
On paper, going off of how every team fared in 2020, the Ravens’ slate of away games next season should be easier than their schedule at home. The best team the Ravens will face on the road next year is the Dolphins, who they edged out for a playoff spot by one game just a few weeks ago.
The last time the Ravens played the Dolphins, it was Week 1 of the 2019 season. Lamar Jackson threw five touchdown passes and the Ravens won 59-10, so the Dolphins will be looking for revenge this next time around. This will also be the first time the Ravens get a taste of rising sophomore QB Tua Tagovailoa, barring a change under center in Miami.
Other notable games include the Ravens matchup against the Raiders, which marks the first time Baltimore will travel to Las Vegas. If played early in the year, the Ravens will also be one the first teams to experience Allegiant Stadium with fans in attendance (fingers crossed). Either way, it should be an exciting matchup.
The Ravens also play the Lions and Bears on the road, the latter of whom is one of five returning playoff teams on the team’s schedule, as well as the Broncos at Mile High Stadium. Denver is always an entertaining place to play and is the sight of some memorable games between the Broncos and Ravens. The Ravens haven’t traveled there since 2015.
Which of these matchups are you circling on your calendar and looking forward to the most? Chime in below!