Baltimore Ravens 2023 Record Prediction
The 2023 NFL schedule was officially released on May 11th and with came some intriguing matchup’s for the Ravens this season. Some of the marquee matchup’s include visits from two of the top five quarterbacks taken in this years NFL draft in two of the first three weeks, four scheduled primetime games including a matchup on Christmas night, and a trip to London.
I originally posted a way-to-early record prediction when the opponents for the Ravens were announced back in February. But after the draft, resigning quarterback Lamar Jackson, and free agent signings of Odell Beckham Jr. and Nelson Agholor, lets predict the Ravens 2023 record week by week.
Week 1 9/10
Home vs Houston Texans 1 P.M.
W– The Houston Texans were one of the winners of the 2023 draft, using two picks inside the top five to take quarterback C.J. Stroud and the top linebacker Will Anderson. While the Texans are on a path to becoming a force for years to come they are still a long ways away from being a competitive team.
With Stroud expected to make his first NFL start, the Ravens have made it difficult for rookie quarterbacks and are 9-4 all-time in week one home openers, expect a long day for Stroud and the Texans as the Ravens start the year 1-0.
Week 2 9/17
Away vs Cincinnati Bengals 1 P.M.
L– The Bengals have had the Ravens number over the last several season including ending the Ravens season last year in the playoffs. The Ravens and Bengals are expected to be battling all season for the top spot in the AFC North.
The Ravens will still be adjusting to a new offense and will be playing their first road game of the year. I’ll give round one to the Bengals to move the Ravens to 1-1.
Week 3 9/24
Home vs Indianapolis Colts 1 P.M.
W– Indianapolis used their fourth overall pick on quarterback Anthony Richardson and its possible the Ravens face their second rookie quarterback in the first three weeks. Unlike Stroud who is expected to be a day one starter, Richardson may have to sit behind Gardner Minshew until he is ready to take over the stating role.
Either way no matter the starter the Ravens are head and shoulders better then Indianapolis and move their record to 2-1.
Week 4 10/1
Away vs Cleveland Browns 1 P.M.
W– The Browns are expected to be much better then last season with Deshaun Watson now in his second year with the Browns the AFC North could be a close race between the four teams. Both games last season against the Browns were close with the two teams splitting the season series.
The Ravens are traditionally hot at this point in the year and this week four game is important to not drop two game within the division. With that being said the Ravens steal a road win to now sit at 3-1.
Week 5 10/8
Away vs Pittsburgh Steelers 1 P.M.
L– Similar to the Browns the Steelers played the Ravens close in both games also splitting the season series with each other. Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett now in his second year is expected to continue on an upward trajectory to return the Steelers back to the playoffs.
Ravens-Steelers is always a hard fought contest no matter the rosters and its very rare either team sweeps the other during a given year. The Steelers win the first matchup being at home and the Ravens drop to 3-2.
Week 6 10/15
Away vs Tennessee Titans (London) 9:30 A.M.
W– Another rookie quarterback could be waiting for the Ravens, this time across the pond in London. The Ravens make the long trip to play a Titans team that appears to be in rebuild mode.
Will Levis was selected by the Titans in the second round and while Ryan Tannehill is likely to be the week one starter a slow start by the Titans could lead to Levis eventually becoming the starter. Could London be Levis’ first career start? If so that will be a positive for the Ravens as they look to roll the Titans and redeem themselves from their previous London trip. Ravens move to 4-2.
Week 7 10/22
Home vs Detroit Lions 1 P.M.
W– The Lions continue to get better each year under head coach Dan Campbell and many experts have the Lions taking the NFC North in 2023. I revamped offense and several first round players could be trouble for the Ravens as they return off their trip to London
The Lions traditionally have played the Ravens close, with their last meeting in 2021 ending on a game winning 66-yard field goal by Justin Tucker. The Ravens elected not to take their bye after their visit to London, which could be trouble even against a team that on paper the Ravens are better then. However, I think the Ravens steal a win at home even though they might not play their best game of the yea thus far. Ravens win their second straight and sit at 5-2.
Week 8 10/29
Away vs Arizona Cardinals 4:25 P.M.
W– The Cardinals were disastrous last season between injuries and turmoil within the organization and 2023 should be much of the same. Currently the Cardinals are expected to be one of the worst teams in the NFL next season and the Ravens could look to take advantage and use this week breath after a tough stretch to begin the year.
A slow start traveling out west and with all the travel for the Ravens over the last several weeks could be expected, but the Cardinals roster lacks on both sides of the ball and could lead to a game that isn’t close. Ravens move to 6-2
Week 9 11/5
Home vs Seattle Seahawks 1 P.M.
W– The Seattle Seahawks are coming off an impressive 2022 season behind a strong year from quarterback Geno Smith. The Seahawks continued to reload during the draft and for many are expected to make a return trip to the playoffs in 2023.
Much like the Ravens, the Seahawks will travel a lot in 2023, as they will travel over 31,000 miles, the most in the NFL. Through the midway point in the season that can begin to take a toll on a team, and it will be interesting to see if Smith can replicate the season he had in 2022. I give the edge to the Ravens at home as they move 7-2 on the year.
Week 10 11/12
Home vs Cleveland Browns 1 P.M.
W– It tough to sweep division opponents and its even tougher to do it within the AFC North. With the way the division is expected to look in 2023 being able to get two wins against one of their three AFC North rivals could be key in winning the division for the Ravens.
By this point in the year the Ravens should be comfortable with Todd Monken’s offense and that could spell trouble for the Browns in this one. I give the advantage to the Ravens because they are home but it will not be easy as the Ravens move to 8-2.
Week 11 11/16
Home vs Cincinnati Bengals (Thursday Night) 8:15 P.M.
W– The Bengals took the week two matchup on their home field, but a primetime matchup on Thursday night puts these two teams in the spotlight as they battle not only for the division but to be one of the top teams in the entire AFC.
Even though its a Thursday night game which can be tough for both teams, being home for a Thursday night give a steep advantage to the Ravens. M&T Bank should be electric and with a Ravens win could give them a huge advantage towards winning the AFC North. Ravens move to 9-2
Week 12 11/26
Away vs Los Angeles Chargers (Sunday Night) 8:20 P.M.
W– The Ravens second primetime game in as many weeks sees the Ravens travel to Los Angeles to take on Justin Herbert and the Chargers. This game will be important as they Ravens looks to remain as one of the top teams in the AFC.
The extra rest after play a Thursday night game will be important for a team yet to have their bye week. This game could ultimately be a toss up, but the Ravens defense was strong against Herbert in 2021 holding the quarterback to under 200 yards and only one touchdown. The Chargers are an AFC team will a high celling but the Ravens defense could make it a long Sunday night for Herbert and the Chargers. Ravens move to 10-2.
Week 13
Bye
Week 14 12/10
Home vs Los Angeles Rams 1 P.M.
W– The Rams had a tough 2022 season and 2023 should be no different. Matthew Stafford returns after an injury ended his 2022 season early. The Rams by this point in the year shouldn’t have too much to play for and that could give a big advantage to the Ravens as they look to continue their win streak.
The Ravens are nearly unbeatable after their bye week and by this point should be firing on all cylinders offensively and gearing up to make a strong late season push, and defeating a subpar Rams team helps that. Ravens move to 11-2
Week 15 12/17
Away vs Jacksonville Jaguars (Sunday Night) 8:20 P.M.
W– The Jaguars were a bit of surprise team last season as they made the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Heading into 2023 however, this young Jaguars team will be on every teams radar and a team that will not be taken lightly.
The Jaguars defeated the Ravens in Jacksonville in 2022 on a last minute touchdown. It was a tough loss for a Ravens team that began to lose its identity offensively. But the Ravens get their revenge in 2023 and take down Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars to keep their impressive win streak alive and moving to a record of 12-2.
Week 16 12/25
Away vs San Francisco 49ers (Monday Night, Christmas Day) 8:15 P.M.
L– All eyes will be on this matchup as the Ravens travel to San Francisco for a Christmas night battle. The 49ers at this time have questions at the quarterback position as who will be the starter Trey Lance or Brock Purdy, both of whom are coming off of injuries last season.
Nonetheless the 49ers have arguably the best offense in the NFL with weapons all across the field. Traveling to the west coast is tough for any team and will favor the 49ers. Ravens win streak comes to an end as they move to 12-3.
Week 17 12/31
Home vs Miami Dolphins (New Years Eve) 1 P.M.
L– The Dolphins have had the Ravens number the last few seasons including a come from behind win against the Ravens in Baltimore last season. The Dolphins have one of the top offenses in the league with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle at the wide receiver position.
Its not a stretch to see the Ravens pull this one out but it will be a tough task to face two elite offenses to weeks in a row, and especially with a big game ahead against the Steelers. The Ravens sit now at 12-4 heading into week 18.
Week 18 Date TBD
Home vs Pittsburgh Steelers Time TBD
W– The Steelers took the first matchup on their home field but with a lot to play for in the last week of the regular season the Ravens will have the momentum on their side at home as they look to stop a two-game losing streak.
It will be a classic Ravens-Steelers matchup that comes down to the wire, but the Ravens pull out the victory to finish the 2023 regular season 13-4.
The Ravens finish with a 13-4 regular season record and a 4-2 record within the AFC North, both of which should put them in position not only win the AFC North but receive one of the two top seed in the AFC playoffs.
Currently the Ravens have the 21st hardest schedule, but travel will be tough, as the Ravens will travel the sixth most miles just over 25,000 miles. A tough start to the season playing all three division opponents within the first five weeks, and playing four road games in the first seven weeks will test this Ravens team. But if the Ravens want to reach their goals and play late into January, they must set themselves up through the middle part of the season in order to have a successful 2023 season.
