2009 RAVENS SCHEDULE: Team opens @ home v. Chiefs

The 2009 Baltimore Ravens’ schedule includes three nationally-televised, prime-time games, including a Sunday night special against the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers.
 

The Ravens/Steelers matchup, a repeat of last season’s AFC Championship game, will be played at M&T Bank Stadium on Nov. 29 at 8:20 p.m. Baltimore will also play Monday night contests at the Cleveland Browns (Nov. 16) and at the Green Bay Packers (Dec. 7).
 

“We like the schedule, especially for our fans,” Ravens president Dick Cass said. “Seven of our eight regular season home games are scheduled for 1 p.m. Our bye (Oct. 25) comes at a good time in the season. And, we know the fans will be excited to have the Steelers come here for a prime-time game.”
 

(Beginning Nov. 22, all Sunday games are subject to change due to flex scheduling.)
 

The Ravens open the season with a home game against the Kansas City Chiefs, who come to M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 13. Baltimore’s first AFC North battle will take place when the Browns visit on Sept. 27.
 

The first three road games of the season will be played against elite NFL teams. Baltimore goes to San Diego, 2008 winners of the AFC West Division, on Sept. 20. The Ravens play at the 11-5 Patriots on Oct. 4 and go to defending NFC North winner Minnesota on Oct. 18.
 

“We knew who we were going to play, and the schedule now gives us dates we can target,” head coach John Harbaugh said. “Our focus since the end of last season is to keep finding ways to get better. That’s what we’re doing now. We’ll be ready when the regular season starts against the Chiefs, and we’ll keep working so that we’ll be even better when December comes.”
 

The Ravens own the second-best home record in the NFL since 2000. Their 52-20 record at M&T Bank Stadium in this nine-year span is one game behind the 53-19 marks set by both New England and Indianapolis. Baltimore will try to improve that home record in November and December when it hosts four out of five games.
 

In a five-week stretch, the Ravens host the Indianapolis Colts (Nov. 22), the Steelers (Nov. 29), the Detroit Lions (Dec. 13) and the Chicago Bears (Dec. 20). Baltimore is at Green Bay on Dec. 7.
 

While that glut of home games can help the Ravens make a push to the playoffs, coach Harbaugh’s charges will be tested by finishing the season on the road. Baltimore is at the Steelers on Dec. 27 and at the Oakland Raiders on Jan. 3.
 

The Ravens will host the AFC North rival Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 11. Baltimore is at Cincy on Nov. 8 and hosts the Denver Broncos on the previous Sunday (Nov. 1).

2009 BALTIMORE RAVENS REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE

 Home Games in CAPS

 All Times Eastern