Ravens 2021 Schedule Breakdown

With an 11-5 record, the Ravens returned to the playoffs for the third straight year, winning their first playoff game since the 2014 season before falling to the Bills in the AFC Divisional. This year, Baltimore will use their 17-game season to try to finish ahead of the playoff-contending Browns and Steelers, as well as the improved Bengals in the AFC North.

Here is a look at Baltimore’s 2021 schedule, including the key games and any other important notes.

Ravens Schedule

Week 1: Sep. 13 at Las Vegas Raiders (MNF) - 8:15 PM (ESPN/ABC)

Week 2: Sep. 19 vs. Kansas City Chiefs (SNF) - 8:20 PM (NBC)

Week 3: Sep. 26 at Detroit Lions - 1:00 PM (CBS)

Week 4: Oct. 3 at Denver Broncos - 4:25 PM (CBS)

Week 5: Oct. 11 vs. Indianapolis Colts (MNF) - 8:15 PM (ESPN)

Week 6: Oct. 17 vs. Los Angeles Chargers - 1:00 PM (CBS)

Week 7: Oct. 24 vs. Cincinnati Bengals - 1:00 PM (CBS)

Week 8: BYE

Week 9: Nov. 7 vs. Minnesota Vikings - 1:00 PM (FOX)

Week 10: Nov. 11 at Miami Dolphins (TNF) - 8:20 PM (FOX/NFLN/Amazon)

Week 11: Nov. 21 at Chicago Bears - 1:00 PM (CBS)

Week 12: Nov. 28 vs. Cleveland Browns (SNF) - 8:20 PM (NBC)

Week 13: Dec. 5 at Pittsburgh Steelers - 4:25 PM (CBS)

Week 14: Dec. 12 at Cleveland Browns - 1:00 PM (CBS)

Week 15: Dec. 19 vs. Green Bay Packers - 1:00 PM (FOX)

Week 16: Dec. 26 at Cincinnati Bengals - 1:00 PM (CBS)

Week 17: Jan. 2 vs. Los Angeles Rams - 4:25 PM (FOX)

Week 18: Jan. 9 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers - 1:00 PM (CBS)

Key Games

Week 2 vs. Kansas City - It’s possible that Baltimore’s toughest game this season happens to be the first time they play at home. In their second primetime game in as many weeks, the Ravens welcome the back-to-back AFC champion Chiefs to M&T Bank Stadium. Their last victory against Kansas City dates back to 2012 when the Ravens won by a score of 9-6.

Week 5 vs. Indianapolis - Whenever the Colts come back to their former city, it always makes for an interesting matchup. And not just that, but this is Baltimore’s third primetime game through five weeks of the season. This could be a game that ends up affecting the Wild Card standings down the stretch.

Week 14 at Cleveland - Although the teams play each other two weeks prior, this road game will be one of the tougher games for Baltimore all season. The Ravens were on the winning end of a 47-42 thriller in Cleveland last season, one of the best games of the NFL season. Between leftover feelings from that game, as well as this capping off a stretch of three straight divisional games, the Ravens are circling this one on the calendar.

Week 17 vs. Los Angeles - In the second-to-last week of the season, the Ravens may have to go through one of the top defenses in football if they haven’t already secured a playoff berth. The Rams were the extra opponent added to Baltimore’s schedule to up the total to 17, so it should be interesting to see how this game between two contenders fares this late in the season.

Week 18 vs. Pittsburgh - The Ravens go to Pittsburgh at the beginning of December but finish the 18-week season hosting them in Baltimore. As is the case with a lot of these matchups, playoff implications are high, especially in this game that could determine a division winner. The thought of eliminating the Steelers will be prevalent as well, with Pittsburgh beating the Ravens in both matchups in 2020.

Other Notes

Primetime games - As seen above, the Ravens begin their season with a pair of nationally televised primetime games. But there’s more than that - five to be exact - that Baltimore will play, all within the first 12 weeks. Only three teams will be nationally televised more; however, the possibility of a late-season game against Pittsburgh, L.A., or Green Bay getting flexed into primetime is an option.

Strength of schedule - If there’s a downside for Ravens fans, it’s the fact that their opponents finished 2020 with a record of 152-118-2, good for a .563 winning percentage. That mark gives them the second-toughest schedule in all of football in 2021. The upside is that the one team with a tougher schedule in terms of opponent winning percentage is the Steelers.

Schedule imbalance - While some teams have a very consistent schedule for home and road games, Baltimore’s is the opposite. The Ravens will be at home from Week 5 through Week 9 with a bye sandwiched in there, but then play four road games between Weeks 10 and 14. In addition, five of their six AFC North games all take place over the course of the last seven weeks of the season.