If the NFL does indeed have a superpower, it is this: No matter the day. No matter the stakes of the games of the other professional sports that are taking place at the same time. No matter the… whatever.
If the NFL wants to take all the attention, it simply takes all the attention.
Case in point, the annual release of the schedule. It matters not that the opponents and where the teams will face off has been determined for months. Nor does it matter that there were a few “leaks” that take place before the big announcement. The sports world freezes when the NFL does anything, and the league knows how to milk that attention for all its worth.
Now, the schedule release isn’t entirely useless, mind you. For fans, it’s an opportunity to get out ahead of planning for a home or road game you’d like to attend. For the players, well, same thing, really? They have family and friends, too. So it does help with that. And it provides a little insight into potential easy or difficult stretches, as well as how the league decision-makers view the team in terms of national game placement.
And, for us, it provides a little content.
ESPN’s Jamison Hensley shared his thoughts on the schedule release with this piece.
Ravens have a challenging schedule with NFL-high 10 games against 2023 playoff teams.
But what helps Baltimore is this — a league-best 16 additional days of rest over your opponents over the course of the 2024 season.
Here are takeaways and predictions:https://t.co/hNA5wzSQS8
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) May 16, 2024
The Ravens’ toughest stretch comes right at the start,” wrote Hensley. “In its first five games, Baltimore kicks off the season at the Chiefs, faces two reigning division champions in the Cowboys and Bills and then plays at the Bengals. Cincinnati is considered Baltimore’s chief threat in the AFC North with a now-healthy Joe Burrow. The Ravens’ track record of solid starts — they haven’t had a losing record in September since 2015 — will be tested.”
That jumped out to me, too, and I wrote last night that I thought if the Ravens could get out of that stretch with a 3-2 mark, they will be positioned well for the rest of the season.
Hensley also noted that the Ravens get the opportunity to exorcise a demon or two with their opener.
“Look no further than Week 1, an AFC Championship Game rematch against Kansas City,” wrote Hensley. “By the time the season starts, seven months will have passed since Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs ruined the Ravens’ first-ever AFC title game in Baltimore. In a 17-10 loss, Jackson was held to season-lows in completion rate (54.1%) and points scored, which became the biggest smudge on his second NFL Most Valuable Player season. The revenge angle goes beyond this past postseason. In Jackson’s six-year career (including playoffs), he is 1-4 against Mahomes (.200) and 59-19 (.756) against the rest of the league. After a loss to Kansas City in 2020, Jackson described the Chiefs as ‘our kryptonite.’ Jackson and the Ravens can take a step toward changing that narrative in the season opener.”
The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec also weighed in on the upcoming schedule.
Breaking down Ravens schedule: Key to Week One, toughest offenses and defenses they'll face, Must watch game and more. https://t.co/tn26tvwwlw
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) May 16, 2024
Zrebiec also spotlighted the Chiefs game, and that difficult five-game stretch at the top. He also talked about one game that looks like it will be a more difficult test than last year, thanks to some offseason additions.
“The Ravens faced the Texans twice last season, and they handled them in Week 1 and the divisional playoff round by a combined score of 59-19,” wrote Zrebiec. “However, both of those games were in Baltimore. And, as surprising as the Texans were last season, they are one of the league’s most improved teams on paper.
“After winning the NFL Rookie of the Year award, quarterback C.J. Stroud returns with a cast that now includes running back Joe Mixon and wide receiver Stefon Diggs. The Texans added to their defense in a big way with the signings of Danielle Hunter and Denico Autry, among others. They now have one of the better rosters in football. The NFL sending the Ravens on the road for a second straight year to play a good team on Christmas is pretty naughty.”
Naughty, indeed. In fact, one could argue that it’s hot garbage. The players, execs and coaches with families have to travel another Christmas so the league can pocket more money, and I have to try to pay attention to a game while my kid will be over-sugared and over-stimulated.
Of course, these games will ultimately be played out on the field, and one guy who will have a lot of eyes on him is first-round pick Nate Wiggins.
Gavin Oliver, of The Clemson Insider, shared ESPN analyst and former NFL exec Louis Riddick’s take on the Ravens’ new corner. Consider Riddick a fan.
“Big, long, rangy in terms of his body type,” said Riddick. “Over 6-1. Fast, 4.2 in the 40. A guy who is scheme diverse. He can play man, he can play zone, he can play press, he can play off. And here’s the most important thing — he will hit. He will run and hit, and that’s what Baltimore Ravens defensive backs do. That’s what Baltimore Ravens defenders do.”
Also of note:
Ravens 2024 schedule: Ranking all 17 games from easiest (Broncos) to hardest (Chiefs) https://t.co/yv8kw5cvrg
— Baltimore Sun Sports (@BaltSunSports) May 16, 2024
BAL and NE benefitting from rest days vs opponents. BAL has a number of Thursdays and a Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/YrOSftieDa
— Brian Burke (@bburkeESPN) May 16, 2024
We can always find something to gripe about w/ any new schedule. The same can be said for the fans of all 32 #NFL teams. That said, forcing the #Ravens on the road again across country on Christmas in back-to-back seasons seems a bit unfair. pic.twitter.com/81GgIkWhvr
— Tony Lombardi (@RSRLombardi) May 16, 2024
There was only one man Harbs trusted for the job… @stavvybaby@SeatGeek | 📺: @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/3a9OfunYK0
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 16, 2024
