Power Ranking Baltimore Ravens' 2013 Schedule

Ray Lewis is gone.

But as he told Joe Flacco before the Ravens' thrilling double-overtime road playoff win in Denver, "You're the General, lead us to victory, you lead us today."

Flacco is the leader of the Ravens. They are an offensive team now. However you slice it, Baltimore secured a legitimate franchise-quarterback at a very friendly cap figure ($6.8 million in 2013).

They also got younger and more talented along their defensive front (which struggled often in 2012) with the signings of Elvis Dumervil, Chris Canty, Marcus Spears and Rolando McClain. According to spotrac.com, the total 2013 cap hit between those four players is $6,306,667.

In case you don't live in Baltimore, yes, there were and still are plenty of haters and doubters that simultaneously claim to be Ravens fans. Apparently they forgot about Ozzie Newsome and his player personnel staff.

Now that the 2013 regular season schedule has been released, let us look there.

The Ravens will play a total of seven games against 2012 playoff teams. That doesn't include their two games against Pittsburgh and road games against Chicago and Detroit.

They will also play just one home game between Weeks 4 and 9. However, they were awarded a rare three-game homestand, between Weeks 12 and 14.

Clearly, the Ravens have their work cut out for them in this season. Here's a look at which games could give them the most trouble.

*All head-to-head record information is according to profootballreference.com.

No. 16 (easiest): New York Jets

Game Info

Week 12, November 24, 1 p.m., CBS

All-Time Record Against

7-1

Last Meeting

October 2, 2011, 34-17 Ravens (in Baltimore)

Analysis

Few teams cause the word dysfunction to come to mind like the New York Jets. Terrible contracts, constant drama and a 14-18 record since 2011 are what owner Woody Johnson is faced with.

Full disclosure: I'm not a Mark Sanchez hater. In fact, I believe he's a good quarterback from the neck down. It seems like he can't hold the team together in the face of a pass rush, a bad season and worse press.

Sure that's a lot to ask, but when you sign a $58.25 million contract straight out of college to quarterback a New York football team, that's what happens.

There is little evidence that says the Jets have a chance in this game. It seems like this game will be a repeat of the Ravens' home game against the Raiders last season, when Baltimore routed Oakland, 55-20.

No. 15: Cleveland

Game Info

Week 2, September 15, 1 p.m., CBS 

All-Time Record Against

21-7

Last Meeting

November 4, 2012, 25-15 Ravens (in Cleveland)

Analysis

Joe Flacco has never lost to Cleveland. Since 2008, the Ravens are 10-0 versus the Browns. 

Paul Kruger is now in Cleveland, but will he be effective as an every-down defensive end? He's only started seven games in his four-year career.

Although the Browns lost in Baltimore by just seven points, they're not yet at the level they need to be to seriously contend for a divisional title.

Besides, they have a new head coach (Rob Chudzinski) and a second-year quarterback (Brandon Weeden) who threw 14 touchdowns and 17 interceptions last season. Not good.

Cleveland does have a good defense (ranked 10th in 2011), but if you watched Super Bowl XLVII, you saw what Flacco is capable of doing against a great defense.

No. 14: At Cleveland

Game Info

Week 9, November 3, 1 p.m., CBS 

All-Time Record Against

21-7

Last Meeting

November 4, 2012, 25-15 Ravens (in Cleveland)

Analysis

The Browns are the team the Ravens have the most success against in team history (with a minimum of 10 games played). Baltimore has a winning percentage of 75 percent (21-7) against Cleveland since they started playing.

In 14 games in Cleveland, the Ravens have held the Browns to 14 points or fewer seven times (including three shut-outs).

It might not be a high-scoring game, but outside of Trent Richardson, the Browns just don't have the offensive playmakers to compete with the Ravens.

Let's put it this way: It would be a surprise if a team with Baltimore's track record didn't sweep the Browns this season.

No. 13: At Buffalo

Game Info

Week 4, September 29, 1 p.m., CBS

All-Time Record Against

3-2

Last Meeting

October 24, 2010, 37-34 Ravens (OT, in Baltimore)

Analysis

Buffalo, while not set on its quarterback has two game breakers at running back (C.J. Spiller) and wide receiver (Steve Johnson). Their defensive front is strong and athletic, too.

Like the Browns, the Bills are now under the direction of a rookie head coach (Doug Marrone), which is another factor that favors Baltimore.

Considering the potential for bad weather and the strength of Buffalo's defensive front, Ray Rice, Vonta Leach and Bernard Pierce will be key in this game.

No. 12: At Miami

Game Info

Week 5, October 6, 1 p.m., CBS

All-Time Record Against

5-5

Last Meeting

November 7, 10, 26-10 Ravens (in Baltimore)

Analysis

This offseason, the Dolphins signed big-name free agents like wide receiver Mike Wallace, cornerback Brent Grimes and middle linebacker Dannell Ellerbe.

Ellerbe stabilized the Ravens inside linebackers core after Ray Lewis (triceps) and Jameel McClain (neck) suffered serious injuries in the middle of last season.

Although this game is in Miami, the Dolphins don't usually have a raucous home crowd. That and the fact that the weather in Miami is about as good as it gets should tell you this game will favor whichever team has the better roster.

Right now, that advantage goes to the Ravens. But Miami, led by Cameron Wake (37.5 sacks since 2010), is a tough team that can rush the passer. The Ravens better find out who their left tackle is before this game, or it could be a loss for the purple and black.

No. 11: Cincinnati

Game Info

Week 10, November 10, 1 p.m., CBS

All-Time Record Against

19-15

Last Meeting

December 30, 2012, 23-17 Bengals (in Cincinnati)

Analysis

The Ravens have scored more points against the Bengals (759) than against any other team they've ever faced. On the flip side, the Bengals have scored the second-most points (589) of any Ravens opponent.

Translation: Besides the Steelers game, this game is perennially Baltimore's hardest.

Baltimore is 6-4 in their last 10 home games versus Cincinnati. In last season's opener, Baltimore hosted Cincinnati on Monday Night Football. The Ravens dominated, winning by a score of 44-13.

Before that game, the last time the Ravens beat the Bengals at home by more than seven points was December 7, 2003 (31-13).

Whether home or away, these two teams are going to play a very hard-hitting and close football game. The Ravens may not win, but the fans will see an entertaining football game. 

No. 10: At Detroit

Game Info

Week 15, December 16, 8:40 p.m., ESPN (Monday Night Football)

All-Time Record Against

2-1

Last Meeting

December 13, 2009, 48-3 Ravens (in Baltimore)

Analysis

The picture says it all.

Stop Calvin Johnson, stop the Lions.

In Detroit's 12 losses last season, Johnson had five touchdown receptions. The Lions ended up losing the final eight games of their season—the last four of which Johnson was kept out of the end zone.

Sure, he gained an NFL-record 1,964 receiving yards in 2012, but teams clamped down in the red zone and made the Lions look elsewhere for points.

Maybe the addition of Reggie Bush will keep defenses off balance. But the overwhelming trend with the Lions is to go to Johnson early and often.

The Ravens have faced much more versatile offenses than Detroit has, but they haven't played a player like Johnson in awhile.

The only other time Baltimore played in Detroit was when they lost, 35-17, 2005.

Yes, that was the game the Ravens incurred 21 penalties for 147 yards.

You think that will get talked about before this game?

No. 9: Minnesota

Game Info

Week 14, December 8, 1 p.m., FOX

All-Time Record Against

2-2

Last Meeting

October 18, 2009, 33-31 Vikings (in Minnesota)

Analysis

What is it with the NFC North and NFL record breakers?

Not only does Baltimore have to defend Calvin Johnson without Ed Reed, but they have to defend Adrian Peterson and the Vikings without Ray Lewis.

Last year, Peterson became the seventh player in NFL history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in one season. He finished nine rushing yards shy of breaking Eric Dickerson's all-time record of 2,105 yards in one season.

Peterson is third all-time in career rushing yards per game (99.4). He's played just six seasons, and if he plays 16 games for six more seasons, he's on pace to break Emmitt Smith's all-time rushing record of 18,355 yards in a career.

So Peterson, Jared Allen (89.5 sacks since 2007) and Greg Jennings are who the Ravens are dealing with.

Given their suspect rush defense last year, this could be a rare home loss for the Ravens.

No. 8: At Cincinnati

Game Info

Week 17, December 29, 1 p.m., CBS

All-Time Record Against

19-15

Last Meeting

December 30, 2012, 23-17 Bengals (in Cincinnati)

Analysis

The Ravens are 3-7 in their last 10 games at Cincinnati. Sure, the Week 17 game last season featured mostly Baltimore's backups, but still it was a loss. In their last four road games versus the Bengals, the Ravens have averaged only 14.5 points per game.

Super Bowl or not, the Ravens need to step their game up when they play at Paul Brown Stadium.

More than wide receiver A.J. Green (40.7 receiving yards per game in three career games versus Baltimore), the Ravens will have to figure out a way to block First-Team All-Pro defensive tackle Geno Atkins. Atkins has recorded 20 sacks in his last two seasons.

He's a defensive tackle. A good year for those players is maybe five sacks. Especially considering the Ravens will have a new center this year, taking care of Atkins is priority one.

Another big task for Baltimore is figuring out how to block Vontaze Burfict. As a rookie in 2012, Burfict made 127 tackles, which was 15th-best in the NFL and fourth-best among rookies.

Expect a three- or four-point game, either way.

No. 7: At Chicago

Game Info

Week 11, November 17, 1 p.m., CBS

All-Time Record Against

2-2

Last Meeting

December 20, 2009, 31-7 Ravens (in Baltimore)

Analysis

Like the Denver game, depending on the weather at kickoff, this game between the Bears and the Ravens could be very disadvantageous for Baltimore.

Joe Flacco has proven he can perform in poor weather, but so has Chicago's defense.

Last season, the Bears boasted the league's third-best scoring defense (17.3 points allowed per game) and only gave up an average of 15.4 points per game at home. They also led the NFC (and were second in the NFL) in turnover margin (plus-20).

That's not good news for Baltimore, as they have yet to win and have only scored nine points in two games in Chicago. While those two games were played in 1998 and in 2005, it doesn't change the fact that Soldier Field is a very tough place to play.

The Ravens are the better team and it's not that close, but the Bears' home field advantage can make up some of that difference.

If the Ravens can get through what was a poor offensive line in 2012 and to quarterback Jay Cutler, they should be able to win. Chicago let up the eighth-most sacks (44) and sixth-most hits (87) of any team last year.

No. 6: Pittsburgh

Game Info

Week 13, November 28, 8:30 p.m., NBC

All-Time Record Against

15-22

Last Meeting

December 2, 12, 23-20 Steelers (in Baltimore)

Analysis

A home game versus the Steelers on Thanksgiving night.

Wow.

Eight of the last nine games between these two teams have resulted in one-score games. Seven of those nine games have been decided by a mere three points. 

Last year when the Steelers played the Ravens in Baltimore, Pittsburgh won by a field goal on the last play of the game. As if that wasn't bad enough, the win snapped Baltimore's 16-game home winning streak.

While the Ravens have gotten younger, the Steelers have not. In fact, Pittsburgh was unable to retain their second-best offensive player, wide receiver Mike Wallace. Additionally, the Steelers are still trying to figure out their running back situation.

This is the game of the year. Of course the Ravens have high expectations, but this is the game they have to win (at least fans think so).

Your arch-rival coming into your house after they ripped one away from you in the final seconds last year? Yeah, it's going to be intense.

And very loud.

No. 5: Houston

Game Info

Week 3, September 22, 1 p.m., CBS

All-Time Record Against

6-1

Last Meeting

October 21, 2012, 43-13 Texans (in Houston)

Analysis

Last year's loss to the Texans was the worst of the year for the Ravens. It was also the first time in team history that they lost to Houston (Baltimore was 6-0).

In terms of potential playoff success, if the Ravens are "1," the Texans are "1A". Even with the edition of former Ravens great Ed Reed, the Texans are simply not consistent enough at quarterback. Houston's running game and defense are elite, but Matt Schaub needs to get a bit better before Houston can seriously challenge for a Super Bowl.

Fortunately for Baltimore, this is a home game. In three games in Baltimore, Houston has scored no more than 15 points in one game.

Although the Texans are a very good team, this is not the Ravens' toughest game, mainly because the Texans haven't consistently proven they can beat the Ravens. Until they do, the edge goes to Baltimore.

No. 4: At Pittsburgh

Game Info

Week 7, October 20, 4:25 p.m., CBS

All-Time Record Against

15-22

Last Meeting

December 2, 2012, 23-20 Steelers (in Baltimore)

Analysis

What else can be said about this one?

Two bitter rivals face off in the most physical rivalry in football (and maybe in sports). Moreover, think about what it would be like in Baltimore if the Ravens lost and had to sit around for two weeks after losing to their arch-rival.

The terrible towels are going to be out in full force, and Crazy Train is sure to be blaring.

Bring it on!

No. 3: Green Bay

Game Info

Week 6, October 13, 1 p.m., FOX

All-Time Record Against

1-3

Last Meeting

December 7, 2009, 27-14 Packers (in Green Bay)

Analysis

For my money, Aaron Rodgers is the best football player in the NFL. He's as close to perfect quarterback (the game's hardest position) there is. Since he became a regular starter in 2008, Rodgers has thrown 170 touchdowns to 45 interceptions.

Furthermore, Rodgers holds the all-time record of least amount of passes intercepted per pass attempt. In other words, 1.7 percent of his 2,665 pass attempts have been intercepted.

As a reference, a tenth of a percent is a significant separation. Tom Brady is No. 2 on that list with a mark of 2.1 percent.

The Packers defense isn't bad itself. In 2012, Green Bay's scoring defense finished the season ranked 11th (336 points allowed), one spot ahead of Baltimore (344 points allowed).

Like any good defense, Green Bay has playmakers at every level. Defensive tackle B.J. Raji, linebacker Clay Matthews and cornerback Tramon Williams are always around the ball and/or creating turnovers.

The Ravens can win this game, but they will have to make Rodgers uncomfortable. The one major weakness the Packers have is their pass protection. They allowed the second-most sacks in the NFL last year (51), so getting to Rodgers is not only possible but probable.

Even with that porous offensive line, Rodgers found a way to help the Packers win 12 games in 2012 (playoffs included). The only time Green Bay played in Baltimore was on Monday Night Football in late December 2005 (Rodgers' rookie season).

The final score was Baltimore 48, Green Bay 3, which is tied for the biggest margin of victory in team history (December 13, 2009: Baltimore 48, Detroit 3).

No. 2: At Denver

Game Info

Week 1, September 5, 8:30 p.m., NBC (Sunday Night Football)

All-Time Record Against

7-4

Last Meeting

January 12, 2013, 38-35 Ravens (2OT, Divisional Playoff in Denver)

Analysis

If you're a Broncos fan, it's still too soon to bring up the last game between these two teams.

Joe Flacco threw for 331 yards and three touchdowns. Ray Rice ran for 131 yards and one touchdown. Corey Graham made eight tackles and two interceptions (one for a 39-yard touchdown and the other in the second overtime).

All three of those players, as well as former Bronco Elvis Dumervil, are squarely in the prime of their careers and will be counted on to make big contributions for the Ravens in this game and throughout the 2013 season.

In case you're not aware, Dumervil was asked to take a $4 million pay cut from the Broncos this offseason. Denver received the newly signed contract via fax from Dumervil's camp seven minutes after the deadline, which forced them to release him (and subsequently take a $4.89 million cap hit).

While Denver is an elite team and even though this is the first game of the year, that's actually the best-case scenario for the Ravens. They get four and a half months to prepare for Peyton Manning, and there won't be sub-zero temperatures during the game (like there were in January).

This game could really go either way.

No. 1 (toughest): New England

Game Info

Week 16, December 22, 8:30 p.m., NBC (Sunday Night Football)

All-Time Record Against

3-7

Last Meeting

January 20, 2013, 28-13 Ravens (AFC Championship in New England)

Analysis

Tom Brady is 17-7 in his playoff career. Two of those losses were to Baltimore by a combined 34 points. The other five losses were by a combined 32 points. Brady's home playoff record is 12-3. Two of those three losses were to Baltimore.

You can see how when the games get bigger, no team has done to the Patriots what the Ravens have.

In fact, in the last five games in this series, Baltimore is 3-2 against New England, holding the Patriots to an average score of 20.6 points per game. Believe me, that is an accomplishment.

This is the toughest game of the year for the Ravens because they played the Patriots in the last two AFC Championship games and because of the wild finish to last year's regular season game (shown in the video above).

What's probably the biggest challenge for the Ravens is the fact that Bill Belichick is the head coach of their opponent.

At 61 years old and entering his 28th year of coaching in the NFL, Belichick is still at the top of his game. Among active coaches, no one has more regular season wins (187) or playoff wins (18) than Belichick.

Let's hope each team is healthy and firing on all cylinders for this one. It could be the game of the year in the NFL.