Baltimore Ravens 2015 Schedule: Win-Loss Predictions for Every Game
The NFL announced the 2015 regular-season schedule Tuesday night.
The Baltimore Ravens will have one of the most daunting schedules of any team, and they'll also be one of the most seen teams nationally.
That's because Baltimore scored five prime-time games, an incredible number for any NFL team. For comparison, the Ravens had just three prime-time games last year.
Here's a week-by-week look at each game, as well as predictions for each one.
Week 1: Ravens at Broncos
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The Ravens' most difficult game of 2015 might end up being in Week 1.
The Denver Broncos went 12-4 in 2014 and earned the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs. They return most of their team from last year, and they should win double-digit games again this season.
Ironically, the last time Baltimore saw the Broncos was the regular-season opener in 2013, a 49-27 whipping at Denver.
While the Ravens are a far better team than that season, I just can't see them coming out of Denver with a win this early in the season.
Prediction: Broncos, 31-23
Week 2: Ravens at Raiders
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The Ravens' first two games of 2015 are both out West.
They go from Denver in Week 1 to Oakland in Week 2 to face a Raiders team that's on the rise, but it likely will be a must-win game for Baltimore.
Teams that start 0-2 rarely make the playoffs, and with a loss likely in Week 1, this is a game the Ravens can't afford to lose.
They come ready to play and leave Oakland with a convincing win, which is also their first victory of 2015.
Prediction: Ravens 27, Raiders 16
Week 3: Ravens vs. Bengals
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The Ravens' first home game won't come until Week 3, but you can be sure they have this one marked down on their calendar.
Twice last year, Baltimore held a fourth-quarter lead against the Bengals, but it was Cincinnati who rallied to win both games, sweeping the Ravens for the first time since 2009.
That can't happen again this year with the Ravens facing a more daunting schedule. They have to at least split with each of their three AFC North rivals.
This game will be a dogfight that sees the Ravens come out on top.
Prediction: Ravens, 17-16
Week 4: Ravens at Steelers
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The schedule-makers did Baltimore no favors for its first stretch of games.
After back-to-back West Coast trips, Baltimore gets two divisional matchups in a span of five days, the latter of which being at Pittsburgh.
The Ravens were embarrassed in the regular-season meeting at Pittsburgh last year but won in Heinz Field in the playoffs. However, Pittsburgh was without All-Pro running back Le'Veon Bell in the postseason meeting.
Assuming Bell is able to play this time, I see the Steelers winning a close one.
Prediction: Steelers, 27-24
Week 5: Ravens vs. Browns
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A three-game slate of divisional games concludes with a home game against the Cleveland Browns.
The Ravens have swept the Browns in six of the past seven seasons and haven't lost at home to Cleveland since 2007.
Since the Ravens drafted Joe Flacco, Baltimore has gone 13-1 against the Browns, and I don't see them losing this one either.
Baltimore is just better in nearly every area, and the Browns are still looking for a starting quarterback. They're no match for the Ravens at this point.
Prediction: Ravens, 30-13
Week 6: Ravens at 49ers
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After Baltimore lost Torrey Smith to the 49ers in free agency, they'll reunite in San Francisco for a Week 6 showdown.
Smith left Baltimore after spending the first four years of his NFL career there. He eventually signed with the 49ers to become their new No. 1 receiver. This will also be a rematch of Super Bowl XLVII, in which Smith helped lead the Ravens to a championship win.
Despite the addition of Smith, San Francisco lost too many key players this offseason to stack up to what Baltimore will bring to the table.
Prediction: Ravens, 23-20
Week 7: Ravens at Cardinals
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Again, the schedule-makers did Baltimore no favors to start the season.
Baltimore travels to Arizona in Week 7 to face the Cardinals in the fifth away game in its first seven games. Making it more brutal is the Cards are the fourth playoff team of last year the Ravens will have faced.
However, the Ravens are a better team than Arizona. While it will prove difficult to win at Arizona, Flacco and company find a way to get the W.
Baltimore manages to get through an extremely difficult stretch of games with a 5-2 mark.
Prediction: Ravens, 21-20
Week 8: Ravens vs. Chargers
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The Ravens play host to the San Diego Chargers in a game that could have major playoff implications.
That was the case in Week 13 last year when Baltimore hosted San Diego with both teams in the thick of the AFC playoff race. Baltimore held a 30-20 lead with six minutes, 13 seconds remaining and a 33-27 lead with 2:22 left.
However, it was Phillip Rivers who led San Diego on a furious rally to upend Baltimore, 34-33. That put San Diego ahead of Baltimore in the wild-card playoff standings temporarily, but Baltimore would eventually clinch that final playoff spot in the AFC.
Both teams will be in playoff contention again in 2015, but it will be Baltimore who wins this matchup.
Prediction: Ravens, 27-20
Week 10: Ravens vs. Jaguars
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The Ravens should come out of their Week 9 bye fresh and ready for a matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Baltimore beat Jacksonville in a defensive slugfest last year, 20-12. However, the Jags upgraded their roster this offseason enough that this should be a closer game than last year.
Still, the Ravens will be well-rested and ready to begin making their push for the playoffs with a win at home over the Jags.
Prediction: Ravens, 27-13
Week 11: Ravens vs. Rams
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The Ravens conclude a three-game home stretch with a Week 11 date against the St. Louis Rams.
This will be a matchup of two of the best defenses in football, especially when it comes to rushing the passer. St. Louis ranked 13th in total sacks last year (40), while Baltimore was tied for second (49).
However, the Ravens are more balanced with a strong ground game supplemented by an efficient aerial assault that should penetrate St. Louis' defense.
On the other side, the Rams don't have the offensive firepower to succeed against Baltimore's stout defense.
Prediction: Ravens, 23-13
Week 12: Ravens at Browns
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The Ravens are finally back on the road for a date with the Browns.
After winning with ease in Baltimore, Cleveland is looking for revenge while hoping to avoid another season sweep at the hands of its AFC North rivals.
Still, Cleveland isn't in the same ballpark as Baltimore, who will be in the thick of the playoff race, whereas the Browns will already be out of it.
Last year's matchup in Cleveland was a thriller that saw Baltimore win with a last-second field goal. This one will be close as well, though the Ravens squeak by with a more comfortable win.
Prediction: Ravens, 24-17
Week 13: Ravens at Dolphins
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The Ravens are riding high as they come into Week 13 on a seven-game winning streak and look bound for the playoffs at 9-2.
Adding to that, Baltimore has had Miami's number dating back to 2008, winning the last five matchups with the Dolphins, including the playoffs.
However, this is one of the best-assembled Dolphins teams in recent memory, and Miami is hungry for the postseason after failing to make it there since 2008.
Miami's stout front seven gangs up on Flacco and shuts down the ground game as well. On the other side, Ryan Tannehill makes enough plays to lead Miami to an upset win over Baltimore to end its win streak.
Prediction: Dolphins, 20-17
Week 14: Ravens vs. Seahawks
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After a physical game at Miami the previous week, Baltimore faces the most physical team in football when the Seattle Seahawks come to town.
The Seahawks are as strong as they've been the past two years in which their season ended in the Super Bowl. They're well on their way to making a third straight appearance, but Baltimore is also looking to contend for a title.
This will be a back-and-forth affair that sees multiple lead changes in the second half. The Ravens put up a good fight and take a lead into the final minutes.
However, Russell Wilson guides the Seahawks on a game-winning drive to escape Baltimore with a hard-fought win.
Prediction: Seahawks, 19-17
Week 15: Ravens vs. Chiefs
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After a seven-game winning streak, Baltimore enters Week 15 on a two-game skid and losing positioning in the playoff standings.
While Baltimore is still comfortably holding a playoff spot, Kansas City needs a win to remain in the postseason race.
After going 9-7 last year, the Chiefs barely missed out on the playoffs. They'll come ready to play against Baltimore to prevent that from happening for a second straight season.
Still, with Baltimore having the benefit of home-field advantage in this one, it squeaks out with a hard-fought win to remain in the race for the postseason.
Prediction: Ravens, 27-23
Week 16: Ravens vs. Steelers
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Baltimore lost at Pittsburgh earlier in the year, so it'll be looking for revenge in this one.
Both teams come into this matchup within a game of each other for the AFC North lead. The Ravens will effectively be eliminated from the division race with a loss here.
What ultimately decides this matchup is Baltimore having a stronger defense that, combined with its ground game, allows it to control the clock and keep Pittsburgh's high-flying offense off the field.
It also helps that as the season gets into late December, it becomes harder to pass the ball, the focal point of Pitt's offense.
This helps the Baltimore defense ground the Steelers and get a crucial win to take the division lead heading into Week 17.
Prediction: Ravens, 23-20
Ravens at Bengals
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Baltimore is once again facing the Bengals in its regular-season finale.
That's been the case for four of the past five seasons, and at least one team had postseason implications in those matchups. That's the case again this year with Baltimore having a chance to win the AFC North.
However, Cincinnati has to win to earn a wild-card post in the playoffs. Having that do-or-die urgency is what gives the Bengals that added edge they need to overcome Baltimore.
As was the case in their previous meeting, this one comes down to the final minutes, but it's Cincinnati that escapes with the win this time to ensure both divisional rivals make it to the playoffs.
They do so along with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who win the AFC North thanks to Baltimore's loss.
Prediction: Bengals, 20-16
Final Record: 11-5 and a wild-card berth
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