Baltimore Ravens Regular Season Game By Game 2010 Predictions

We're counting down the hours to the beginning of the 2010 NFL season!  Many experts are picking the Ravens as Superbowl contenders this year.

But they do play the games for a reason, don't they?

Every year around this time I present my completely unreliable, generally biased, and wholly inaccurate predictions for the Ravens regular season games.

The Ravens have a tough start to the season, but as you'll see, I think the tough part of the season is actually a bit later on. 

With that disclaimer, let's get started!

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Week 1, At Jets

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - SEPTEMBER 02: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets stands on the sidelines during a preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on September 2, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Gett

Monday, Sept 13 7PM, ESPN

I might be going out on a limb for this prediction, but it's based on where these two teams are. 

The Jets are overrated. They didn't play well in the preseason. Their QB isn't going to be able to handle the Ravens confusing defense or pass rush.

The Ravens run defense will shut the Jets down and the Ravens offense is flexible and creative enough now to overcome the Jets strong defense.

I think the Jets are again a 9-7 team and the Ravens will dispose of them as such.

The Ravens will blow out the Jets by 20 or more points.

Ravens Win

1-0

Week 2, At Bengals

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 02: Chad Ochocinco #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals watches from the sidelines during the NFL preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 2, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Ge

Sunday, September 19, 1PM, CBS

A second road game to start the season and the Ravens will be on a short week heading in to face their toughest divisional opponent.

The Bengals matchup very well against the Ravens and I think this will be a close game.

The Bengals will pull it out with a late field goal, with the main surprise being a relatively low scoring game.

Ravens Lose

1-1

Week 3, Vs Browns

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

CLEVELAND - SEPTEMBER 2: Shawn Lauvao #66 and Pat Murray #75 of the Cleveland Browns line up before the snap against the Chicago Bears during the preseason game on September 2, 2010 at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the B

Sunday, September 26, 1PM, CBS

The Browns are rebuilding and the Ravens are set for a Superbowl run. t's just that simple.

In the home opener for the Ravens the Browns will be no match for the home team.

It won't be a blowout only because the Ravens will control the clock and not need to run up the score.

Ravens Win

2-1

Week 4, At Steelers

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 02: Dennis Dixon #10 of the Pittsburgh Steelers drops back to pass against the Carolina Panthers after Byron Leftwich left with an injury during the preseason game on September 2, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (

Sunday October 3, 1PM, CBS

I think a lot of people are counting the Steelers out. I'm not. This is still a very physical team and Dennis Dixon almost beat the Ravens last year.

I think this will be a close, smashmouth game, but the Ravens will prevail, perhaps only by a couple of points. 

This will be one of the games Steelers fans point to later in the season as a pivotal game they could have won if Big Ben could control his behavior.

Ravens Win

3-1

Week 5, Vs Broncos

Justin Edmonds /Getty Images

DENVER - AUGUST 29: Head coach Josh McDaniels of the Denver Broncos congratulates quarterback Tim Tebow #15 following his fourth quarter touchdown pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers at INVESCO Field at Mile High on August 29, 2010 in Denver, Colorado.

Sunday, October 10, 1PM, CBS

The Broncos are going to be terrible this year. The Ravens will embarrass them. This could be an ugly game, with the Ravens winning by as many as 30 points.

We might get a good look at Tebow after they pull Kyle Orton though.

Ravens Win

4-1

Week 6, At Patriots

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 02: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots walks to the sideline after throwing an interception against the New York Giants on September 2, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by

Sunday October 17, 1PM, CBS

Other than the playoff game last year, the Patriots have the Ravens number when playing at home.

But this time the Ravens will show the playoff win last year wasn't a fluke.

The Ravens will come in 4-1, hot off a blowout, and will crush another AFC East team.

This one could be over at halftime and this might be the second week the Ravens see a backup QB in a game that gets out of hand.

Ravens Win

5-1

Week 7, Vs Bills

Brad White/Getty Images

TORONTO, CANADA - AUGUST 19: Trent Edwards #5 of the Buffalo Bills looks towards the sidelines during a break in game action against the Indianapolis Colts on August 19, 2010 at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Brad White/Getty Ima

Sunday, October 24, 1PM, CBS

Another easy home game. The Bills are going to be pretty bad again this year and the Ravens will continue their dominance over the AFC East, easily handling them, although this game might be closer than you think.

Right around this week we'll start to see some injured players coming back (Reed, Stallworth). They may be on the field, but they might be a little rusty.

Ravens Win

6-1

Week 8, Bye Week

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 10: Ed Reed #20 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on against the New England Patriots during the 2010 AFC wild-card playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 10, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

The bye week is perfectly timed to get those bumps and bruises healed up and get the guys coming off the PUP a little extra rest before the playoff run.

Ed Reed and Donte' Stallworth should be healing up and rejoining the team, and any other nagging injuries get an extra week to heal.

Meanwhile, the coaches will get an extra week to prep for the Dolphins, who might just be leading the AFC East.

Week 9, Vs Dolphins

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

JACKSONVILLE, FL - AUGUST 21: Brandon Marshall #19 of the Miami Dolphins prepares to run a route during the preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on August 21, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Imag

Sunday, November 7, 1PM, CBS.

This is a tough game to predict now, and begins what I think is the tough stretch of the season.

The Ravens will be coming in off a bye week, but the Dolphins will be in a closer battle in the AFC East and might have more on the line.

The Dolphins are going to be a solid team this year, but I think the Ravens will show their playoff mettle. It will be a close game.

Ravens Win

7-1

Week 10, At Falcons

Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images

ATLANTA - AUGUST 19: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons drops back to pass during the preseason game against the New England Patriots at the Georgia Dome on August 19, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)

Thursday, November 11, 8:20PM, NFL

With a short turnaround after a tough game against the Dolphins, on the road, the Ravens will have a let down.

The Falcons will be a tough opponent on a good week and this won't be a good week.

The Ravens will stay in it and have a shot, but I think this is a tough, tough game to win.

Ravens Lose

7-2

Week 11, At Panthers

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 02: Head coach John Fox of the Carolina Panthers looks up at the scoreboard during the preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 2, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty

Sunday, November 21, 1PM, CBS (flexible start time)

With a long week to prepare, the Ravens will easily handle the Panthers. 

I predict a score that doesn't indicate how badly the Ravens beat up on the Panthers, who will pay for the loss against the Falcons.

Ravens Win

8-2

Week 12, Vs Buccaneers

J. Meric/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 21: Quarterback Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during a preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 21, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

Sunday November 28, 1PM, FOX (flexible start time)

The Bucs are the Browns of the NFC South, and don't stand a chance in Baltimore. The Ravens will dominate at home.

Ravens Win

9-2

Week 13, Vs Steelers

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 02: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers drops back to pass against the Carolina Panthers during the preseason game on September 2, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Sunday, December 5, 8:20PM, NBC

In a normal season, this would be the game of the year for the Ravens.  But this won't be a normal season.

While the Steelers may be in third place in the division, this game will mean much more to them in the wild card race than it does to the Ravens.

Further, the Ravens will be due for a letdown and they always seem to find a way to have that letdown on a nationally televised game.

Ravens Lose

9-3

Week 14, At Texans

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - AUGUST 14: Wide receiver Andre Johnson #80 of the Houston Texans during preseason NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on August 14, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Texans 19-16

Monday, December 13, 8:30PM, ESPN

For the second Monday night game this year the Ravens will not repeat a blowout performance.

The Texans will be good this year and will be in the playoff hunt.

The Ravens will continue to have a letdown and while this game will probably be close, and will probably be a good game, the edge will go to the Texans.

Ravens Lose

9-4

Week 15, Vs Saints

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - AUGUST 27: Reggie Bush #25 of the New Orleans Saints warms up during pregame before playing the San Diego Chargers at the Louisiana Superdome on August 27, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Sunday, December 19, 1PM, FOX (flexible start time)

The Saints will be good, but they won't be as good as they were last year. 

They will be no match for the Ravens defense in Baltimore and Joe Flacco could have a career day.

Ravens Win

10-4

Week 16, At Browns

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

DETROIT - AUGUST 28: Jake Delhomme #17 of the Cleveland Browns throws a first quarter pass while playing the Detroit Lions during preseason game on August 28, 2010 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Sunday, December 26, 1PM, CBS (flexible start time)

The Browns will be on the verge of a winning season and then have to face the Ravens.

The Ravens will handle the Browns. Again. But it won't be as easy as anyone thinks.

Ravens Win.

11-4

Week 17, Vs Bengals

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 02: Terrell Owens #81 of the Cincinnati Bengals watches from the sidelines during the NFL preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 2, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Ge

Sunday, January 2, 1PM, CBS (flexible start time)

This could have been one of the most meaningful games of the year with the two top teams in the AFC North going at it in the last week of the season.

The Ravens will be atop the division and the Bengals will be fighting for a wild card slot. 

The Bengals will need a win to get in the playoffs.

The Ravens will need a win to get a first round bye in the playoffs.

The Ravens will get the bye.

Ravens Win.

12-4

Solidly in The Playoffs

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS - JANUARY 16: Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts in the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Lucas Oli Stadium on January 16, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts defeated the Rav

Obviously, my predictions are not any better or worse than anyone else's. 

I think 12-4 is as good as the Ravens can be, but it's entirely possible one or two games go the wrong way for them and they end up battling the Bengals on the final week of the season for the division.

The Ravens are primed for a Superbowl run, but they still have to play the games.

And that's why we love to watch.