2026 Ravens schedule: Predictions and analysis for every game

Join the huddle. Sign up here for Ravens updates in your inbox.

As Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said, the season doesn’t start until September.

The NFL schedule may be out, but there’s plenty of time for teams to tweak their rosters.

But, with very little context and all of training camp to change our opinions, here are Ravens beat reporters Jonas Shaffer and Giana Han’s predictions for the 2026 season.

Week 1: at Indianapolis Colts (Sept. 13, 1 p.m.)

Shaffer: Indianapolis’ offense set the world on fire to open the season last year. Will Daniel Jones, coming off an Achilles tendon tear, look anything like he did in 2025? Probably not in Week 1. WIN

Han: Every year I’ve been on the beat, the Ravens have started the year with something to prove — and failed to prove it. This year, it’s not about beating the team that knocked them out, though. It’s about starting a new era with a new coach. And if this is truly a new era and a fresh start, then they can begin by changing the way they start the season and beating a team with a roster less star-studded than their own. The big test will be the new offensive line versus what was a stout Colts run defense. It might take time to build steam, but Jesse Minter should have them prepared. This will also be a homecoming game for game manager Charlie Gelman, who returned to the Ravens after serving in the same role for the Colts. Will he have fun with it? WIN

Week 2: vs. New Orleans Saints (Sept. 20, 1 p.m.)

Shaffer: There are a lot of Ravens fans who’ve been waiting a long time to root for someone besides John Harbaugh. For symbolic and practical reasons, this feels like a must-win game. WIN

Han: The Saints were on the rise at the end of last season, while the Ravens found themselves amidst a coaching change. But Lamar Jackson’s first time in the Bank playing for his new coach while wearing his spiffy new uniform? It feels like the perfect time to put on a show. Especially against a team that doesn’t have a top defense. The offense should get rolling on the ground, and the Saints provide an opportunity for the defense to show out. WIN

Week 3: vs. Dallas Cowboys, in Brazil (Sept. 27, 4:25 p.m.)

Shaffer: George Pickens in Rio de Janeiro feels like one of the universe’s most unpredictable elements. In this case, it could work to the Ravens’ disadvantage — again. Quinnen Williams could be a troublemaker against a remade Ravens line as well. LOSS

Han: Two weeks in, and the Ravens should be feeling good if they take care of two less formidable opponents. But now they have to go on the road — to Brazil. In the two international games they’ve played, one has gone well and one has gone horribly. This is Minter’s first time at the helm through an international trip. He’ll have to keep the team focused despite major changes to the typical schedule. The Cowboys have been struggling, but they’re always capable of putting up a fight. The Ravens’ mettle will be tested, but they’ll find a way. WIN

Week 4: vs. Tennessee Titans (Oct. 4, 1 p.m.)

Shaffer: Unless Cam Ward takes a huge second-year leap, and unless Robert Saleh has fixed a dreadful defense, this should be one of the Ravens’ easier games. WIN

Han: Derrick Henry’s first time back in Nashville playing for another team? I’m guessing he runs for well over 100 yards and multiple touchdowns. The Titans struggled on offense and defense last season. They did work in the draft, but it’s not clear if that will have an immediate impact. They have talent in their receiving corps, but Jackson and his group of targets should outclass the Titans’. The team just has to avoid its tendency of playing down to the competition. WIN

Week 5: at Atlanta Falcons, ‘Sunday Night Football’ (Oct. 11, 8:20 p.m.)

Shaffer: Of all the Ravens games to end up on the NFL’s most watched stage, this was among the more unexpected. The Ravens would love nothing more than to run up the score in Dwayne Ledford’s homecoming. Kevin Stefanski’s familiarity with the Ravens’ roster should help Atlanta, but it’s a mostly new Ravens staff. WIN

Han: Even amidst the struggles of last season, the Ravens ranked above the Falcons in offense and defense. And now the Ravens have stolen one of the Falcons’ strengths — their offensive line coach. Minter and the front office speak highly of Dwayne Ledford’s ability to bring out the best in his linemen, which is sorely needed. And they gifted him a first-round guard in Vega Ioane. The Ravens will get off to a 5-0 start. WIN

Week 6: at Cleveland Browns (Oct. 18, 1 p.m.)

Shaffer: Picking the Ravens to win in Cleveland has backfired more than a few times. But unless Todd Monken can find the Deshaun Watson of old — or dramatically better versions of Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel — the Ravens should have the upper hand. WIN

Han: The Ravens should always beat the Browns. But they don’t. They keep finding ways to lose to this mess of a roster with its mess of a quarterback situation. I don’t think this will be the case, though. They’re not going to lose to their old friend Todd Monken, and they’re going to keep the momentum going. Sure, Myles Garett will give the Ravens trouble. He always does, and this offensive line will be yet unproven. But they’ll be riding high on a strong start, and the Ravens’ defense should make up for whatever struggles the offense faces. WIN

Week 7: vs. Cincinnati Bengals (Oct. 25, 1 p.m.)

Shaffer: With Cincinnati coming off a Week 6 bye, the Ravens’ home field advantage won’t be as pronounced. And the Bengals, for the first time since 2021, won’t be playing a primetime game in Baltimore. But the Ravens should be ready for their first postseason-esque test of 2026. WIN

Han: It’s Trey Hendrickson’s first time playing his old team and his first chance to sack Joe Burrow. I expect him to apply the pressure with the roar of Ravens fans behind him. Even though the Bengals have tried to address their defensive woes this offseason and they still have a high-octane offense, the Ravens should be the better team. They’ll improve to 7-0, and the Super Bowl whispers will start. WIN

Week 8: at Buffalo Bills (Nov. 1, 1 p.m.)

Shaffer: Lamar Jackson vs. Josh Allen. Jesse Minter vs. Joe Brady. Declan Doyle vs. Jim Leonhard. The most daunting matchup of the day, though, might be the Ravens vs. Bills Mafia. Buffalo went 8-2 at home last season. Can the Ravens escape the new Highmark Stadium with a win? It won’t be easy, not with the Bills getting a Week 7 bye. LOSS

Han: With that being said, it truly makes me nervous to choose the Ravens to start 7-0 after they let me down in my predictions last year. But the Ravens also don’t face a team of the Bills’ caliber until … the Bills. They’ll have more momentum than they did after last year’s one-point season-opening loss, but they just can’t seem to beat the Bills in their own house. One can hope the new stadium won’t carry the same magic as Highmark Stadium, but the Bills are still led by MVP quarterback Josh Allen and are still considered one of the best rosters in the league. And they, too, have a fun new coach to play for. It might be another shootout, but the Bills will keep their streak up at home. LOSS

Week 9: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, ‘Thursday Night Football’ (Nov. 5, 8:15 p.m.)

Shaffer: It’s hard to come into M&T Bank Stadium and win on short rest. Even harder: winning with a questionable offensive line against a defensive tactician as nuanced as Minter. Trevor Lawrence and Josh Hines-Allen will put up a fight, but Derrick Henry should have the advantage between the tackles. WIN

Han: Even last year’s Ravens should have beaten the Jaguars. This year’s team, which has bulked up in important areas (although a few roster holes remain) shouldn’t have a problem. If the team is healthy and isn’t mysteriously bad as it was last year, the Ravens should be better in basically every phase. WIN

Week 10: vs. Los Angeles Chargers, ‘Monday Night Football’ (Nov. 16, 8:15 p.m.)

Shaffer: The Ravens will get a week and a half to get ready for Mike McDaniel’s trickery. But will that be enough? This is a brutal stretch for the Ravens, and if the Chargers have figured out their interior line play, this could be a shootout. It’s hard to go perfect at home. LOSS

Han: Can the student best the teacher? Past Ravens-Chargers games have featured a brother showdown between the coaches. This one will feature mentee vs. mentor. And past Chargers games have come down to coaching decisions. Minter and crew will put on their best showing, and their players will make them proud. WIN

Week 11: at Carolina Panthers (Nov. 22, 1 p.m.)

Shaffer: Carolina’s another playoff team to contend with, but the Panthers look to be by far the most vulnerable in this midseason gauntlet. Even if their overhauled defense is finally sturdy, Bryce Young is hard to trust against a Ravens defense that should have size up front. WIN

Han: The Ravens always lose a game they should win. Why not this one? They’ve got a big opponent the following week, and it could be easy to overlook this game, which is sandwiched between two meaningful ones. This team is on the rise, and it’s hungry. Taking down the Ravens would be helpful as it keeps building. LOSS

Week 12: at Houston Texans (Nov. 29, 1 p.m.)

Shaffer: Just like the Week 8 game, this showdown deserves better than an early-afternoon kickoff. If the Ravens and Texans live up to their potential, this could be a best-on-best matchup: the NFL’s best offense against the NFL’s best defense. The Texans’ defense is more trustworthy at this point, however, and their offense should fare better at home than it has in Baltimore. LOSS

Han: This is the defense the Ravens have said they want to be in recent years. The Texans’ defense carried that team last year, and their depth chart remains terrifying. However, their offensive line was a mess, which they tried to address with the draft, and quarterback C.J. Stroud has had his inconsistencies. But the Ravens are limping toward a late bye. Although Minter is known for keeping his cool, he’ll have a challenge here. LOSS

Week 13: Bye

Week 14: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Dec. 13, 1 p.m.)

Shaffer: The Ravens should come back from their bye well rested. If Tampa Bay’s offensive line has returned to its 2024 form, this could be a toss-up. If the line looks like it did near the end of last year, Baker Mayfield should be easy to manage, especially without Mike Evans. Vega Ioane vs. Reuben Bain should be a fun sideshow. WIN

Han: Coming out of the bye, the Ravens have a feisty opponent on their hands. But this coaching staff has self-scouted and addressed whatever issues cropped up in the first stretch of the season. The team should handle whatever Mayfield & Co. throw at them, especially in the comfort of home. WIN

Week 15: at Pittsburgh Steelers (Dec. 20, 1 p.m.)

Shaffer: Until the Ravens actually beat Aaron Rodgers, it’s hard to imagine them sweeping Pittsburgh. The Steelers have made life miserable for Jackson and the Ravens’ offense at Acrisure Stadium in recent years. Expect another close one in classic AFC North winter weather. LOSS

Han: Both teams are playing under new coaches, although one is a first-time head coach and the other is a retread. Both had major needs they failed to address in the draft. While both center and quarterback are important, one is more so. Not to disrespect a fellow Penn Stater, but Drew Allar, the Steelers’ third-round pick, does not seem like the answer to their quarterback woes. And YET. The Steelers have beaten the Ravens even through years of these issues. The Ravens have been especially haunted in the Steel City. LOSS

Week 16: vs. Browns (Dec. 27, 1 p.m.)

Shaffer: On paper, this is the most winnable game on the Ravens’ schedule. Who knows how many quarterbacks the Browns will have cycled through at this point? Who knows how cohesive their locker room will be under Monken if their season spirals? Will Cleveland even have anything to play for? WIN

Han: The “next flight” for the Ravens flock should mean no more bad losses to the Browns. This is a really tough AFC North stretch, but the Ravens will have home field advantage between two hostile road environments. If they’re going to stay in the race amidst the stretch, this is the game to do it. It will be a cold, downhill game, and that’s when Derrick Henry shines … as long as his offensive line allows him to. WIN

Week 17: at Bengals, ‘Thursday Night Football’ (Dec. 31, 8:15 p.m.)

Shaffer: The NFL had subjected the Bengals to one “Thursday Night Football” game after another in Baltimore, and the Ravens were better off for it. Now the shoe is on the other foot. Jackson has long owned his head-to-head matchups against Joe Burrow, but Cincinnati showed fight in Baltimore last season. Can the Bengals keep Trey Hendrickson from taking over in his homecoming? LOSS

Han: I keep going back and forth. I mean, it’s Trey Hendrickson’s homecoming game. But also Joe Burrow was really motivated last year to beat the Ravens on a holiday and did so while freshly back from an injury. The Ravens will be in the middle of a crazy gauntlet and away from home on a holiday. Burrow will be out for blood (assuming he has a healthy season) and backed by his home crowd. The Bengals edge the Ravens. LOSS

Week 18: vs. Steelers (Jan. 9 or Jan. 10, time to be determined)

Shaffer: The only way a loss here would be acceptable is if the Ravens have clinched a playoff spot. They came up short in their efforts to hand Mike Tomlin a losing record, but they can still end Rodgers’ career on a down note. WIN

Han: The Ravens aren’t losing to the Steelers twice, especially not in the season finale. Not again, and not at home. They’re the better team, and whatever magic the Steelers have used in the past few years won’t work this time. This team is going to finish strong and head into the postseason. WIN

Ravens record predictions

Shaffer: 11-6

Han: 12-5