The Ravens will play four primetime games in 2026, but one marquee matchup is not included.
Baltimore will have back-to-back home games in primetime, Week 9 vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars on "Thursday Night Football," and Week 10 vs. the Los Angeles Chargers on "Monday Night Football."
Their road primetime games will be Week 5 against the Atlanta Falcons on "Sunday Night Football" and Week 17 when they travel to Cincinnati for an AFC North showdown against the Bengals on "Thursday Night Football."
Baltimore's much-anticipated game against Buffalo, another matchup featuring MVP-winning quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen, will not be played in primetime. Instead, the Baltimore-Buffalo matchup will be played Week 8 at 1 p.m., when the Ravens make their first visit to the Bills' new home, Highmark Stadium.
The NFL often lets Jackson and Allen shine under the lights. The past three Ravens-Bills games have been primetime affairs, including Week 1 last season when Baltimore and Buffalo opened on "Sunday Night Football."
Here's more on Baltimore's four primetime matchups:
The Lounge #923: Reaction to Ravens' 2026 Schedule Release
Team insiders Ryan Mink and Garrett Downing share their biggest takeaways from the Ravens' 2026 schedule, including the toughest stretch, surprising twists, and game of the year. Plus, they hold the annual travel draft.
Week 5: Ravens @ Atlanta Falcons
When: Sunday, Oct. 11
TV: 8:20 p.m., NBC
Key Storylines
This will be the Ravens' first visit to Atlanta since Jackson's rookie season in 2018. He got his first career road victory and ran for a 13-yard touchdown during Baltimore's 26-16 victory.
This game will feature two of the league's premier running backs, Derrick Henry and Bijan Robinson. Both rushed for over 1,400 yards in 2025, with Henry finishing second in the league (1,595 yards) while Robinson finished fourth (1,478 yards).
The Ravens have several players or coaches with ties to Atlanta or the Falcons.
All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton, starting cornerback Nate Wiggins, and rookie outside linebacker Zion Young grew up in Atlanta. Pro Bowl linebacker Roquan Smith and starting safety Malaki Starks were raised within two hours of Atlanta and played at the University of Georgia. Guard John Jenkins and long snapper Nick Moore are also former Bulldogs, while defensive end Calais Campbell played for the Falcons in 2023.
Offensive Line Coach Dwayne Ledford spent the past five seasons as the Falcons' offensive line coach before joining Head Coach Jesse Minter's staff in Baltimore.
Week 9: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
When: Thursday, Nov. 5
TV: Prime Video, 8:15 p.m.
Key Storylines
Baltimore will play its first Thursday night game of the season under the lights at M&T Bank Stadium. It will be a short week for the Ravens, coming off their visit to Buffalo in Week 8.
This will be Jacksonville star quarterback Trevor Lawrence's first career game in Baltimore, and the Jaguars haven't visited since 2017. Jacksonville won the AFC South in 2025 with a 13-4 record, and this game could have playoff tiebreaker implications.
Key additions and departures for all 14 of the Ravens' 2026 opponents.
Indianapolis Colts (Week 1)
Key Additions: LB CJ Allen, EDGE Micheal Clemons, EDGE Arden Key
Key Departures: WR Michael Pittman Jr., EDGE Kwity Paye, OT Braden Smith
Head Coach: Shane Steichen
2025 Record: 8-9
The Colts are running it back with Daniel Jones, who signed a two-year extension and is on track to return Week 1 after tearing his Achilles toward the end of last season. Jonathan Taylor, Alec Pierce, and Tyler Warren return to headline the offense, and Sauce Gardner and DeForest Buckner are back at full strength.
New Orleans Saints (Week 2)
Key Additions: WR Jordyn Tyson, RB Travis Etienne, G David Edwards
Key Departures: CB Alontae Taylor, LB Demario Davis, DE Cameron Jordan
Head Coach: Kellen Moore
2025 Record: 6-11
The Saints have supplied second-year quarterback Tyler Shough with shiny new toys in Tyson and Etienne, to go along with 1,000-yard receiver Chris Olave. New Orleans enters this year with momentum after winning four of its last five games to finish last season.
Dallas Cowboys (Week 3)
Key Additions: S Caleb Downs, EDGE Malachi Lawrence, S Jalen Thompson
Key Departures: EDGE Jadeveon Clowney, LB Logan Wilson, DT Osa Odighizuwa
Head Coach: Brian Schottenheimer
2025 Record: 7-9-1
The Ravens will take on the Cowboys in Brazil early in the season. After allowing the most points per game last year, the Cowboys attacked the defensive side of the ball in the draft, adding Downs and Lawrence in the first round. Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and George Pickens return to headline one of the top offenses in the league.
Tennessee Titans (Week 4)
Key Additions: WR Carnell Tate, WR Wan'Dale Robinson, DE John Franklin-Myers
Key Departures: TE Chig Okonkwo, EDGE Arden Key, DK Sevastian Joseph
Head Coach: Robert Saleh
2025 Record: 3-14
The Titans loaded up this offseason as they aim to have a strong first year under Saleh. Tate and Robinson should give last year's No. 1-overall pick Cam Ward more firepower. Meanwhile, Franklin-Myers should help elevate a defense that gave up the fifth-most points per game last year.
Atlanta Falcons (Week 5)
Key Additions: QB Tua Tagovailoa, OT Jawaan Taylor, RB Brian Robinson
Key Departures: QB Kirk Cousins, CB Dee Alford, LB Kaden Elliss
Head Coach: Kevin Stefanski
2025 Record: 8-9
It's a new era in Atlanta with Stefanski now at the helm. Along with a new head coach, the Falcons could also have a different Week 1 quarterback for the sixth straight year if Tagovailoa beats out Michael Penix Jr., who is coming off a torn ACL.
Cleveland Browns (Weeks 6 & 16)
Key Additions: G Zion Johnson, OT Spencer Fano, WR KC Concepcion
Key Departures: TE David Njoku, G Wyatt Teller, C Ethan Pocic
Head Coach: Todd Monken
2025 Record: 5-12
After three years as the Ravens' offensive coordinator, Monken will get his shot to be an NFL head coach. Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders are expected to compete for the starting quarterback job, and they'll have a retooled offensive line and wide receiver room.
Cincinnati Bengals (Weeks 7 & 17)
Key Additions: DT Dexter Lawrence, EDGE Boye Mafe, S Bryan Cook
Key Departures: OLB Trey Hendrickson, S Geno Stone, DE Joseph Assai
Head Coach: Zac Taylor
2025 Record: 6-11
The Bengals lost Hendrickson to the Ravens this offseason but made several noteworthy additions to their defense, headlined by Lawrence. Joe Burrow is hoping to have a bounce-back season after playing in just eight games due to a foot injury.
Buffalo Bills (Week 8)
Key Additions: WR DJ Moore, EDGE Bradley Chubb, CB Dee Alford
Key Departures: G David Edwards, EDGE Joey Bosa, CB Cam Lewis
Head Coach: Joe Brady
2025 Record: 12-5
The Bills will open their new stadium with a new man in charge asBrady takes over for the fired Sean McDermott. Moore gives Josh Allen a premier deep threat, while Chubb and Alford will help beef up a defense that helped propel Buffalo to the AFC Divisional Round in 2025.
Jacksonville Jaguars (Week 9)
Key Additions: RB Chris Rodriguez Jr., TE Nate Boerkircher, DT Albert Regis
Key Departures: LB Devin Lloyd, RB Travis Etienne, CB Greg Newsome
Head Coach: Liam Coen
2025 Record: 13-4
The Jaguars won the AFC South in Coen's first year and will shoot for a repeat performance in 2026. Trevor Lawrence returns at quarterback, and cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter should be healthy following a knee injury. Jacksonville will count on Rodriguez to help fill the shoes of Etienne, who departed to the Saints.
Los Angeles Chargers (Week 10)
Key Additions: C Tyler Biadasz, TE David Njoku, EDGE Akheem Mesidor
Key Departures: OLB Odafe Oweh, G Zion Johnson, G Mekhi Becton
Head Coach: Jim Harbaugh
2025 Record: 11-6
Former Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar and running back Keaton Mitchell departed Baltimore and joined forces with Harbaugh and new Chargers Offensive Coordinator Mike McDaniel. The Chargers will hope to protect Justin Herbert better this year after tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater both suffered season-ending injuries.
Carolina Panthers (Week 11)
Key Additions: EDGE Jaelan Phillips, LB Devin Lloyd, OT Monroe Freeling
Key Departures: C Cade Mays, RB Rico Dowdle, DT A'Shawn Robinson
Head Coach: Dave Canales
2025 Record: 8-9
The Panthers made the playoffs for the first time since 2017 last season, winning the NFC South in Canales' second year. Carolina signed Phillips to a massive four-year deal in hopes of bolstering their pass rush after tying the Ravens and Cardinals for the third-fewest sacks in the league.
Houston Texans (Week 12)
Key Additions: RB David Montgomery, S Reed Blankenship, OT Braden Smith
Key Departures: OL Tytus Howard, DT Tim Settle, WR Christian Kirk
Head Coach: DeMeco Ryans
2025 Record: 12-5
The Texans added Montgomery to replenish their running back room after Joe Mixon missed all of last season. Blankenship joins last year's No. 1 defense, which returns Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr., two of the league's top pass rushers.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Week 14)
Key Additions: LB Alex Anzalone, RB Kenneth Gainwell, EDGE Rueben Bain Jr.
Key Departures: LB Lavonte David, WR Mike Evans, EDGE Haason Reddick
Head Coach: Todd Bowles
2025 Record: 8-9
After relinquishing the NFC South crown following four straight division titles, the Buccaneers lost David and Evans, two longtime franchise staples. One of the most polarizing rookies, Bain will look to be a Day 1 contributor for a defense that had just 37 sacks in 2025.
Pittsburgh Steelers (Weeks 15 & 18)
Key Additions: WR Michael Pittman Jr., CB Jamel Dean, RB Rico Dowdle
Key Departures: RB Kenneth Gainwell, G Isaac Seumalo, CB James Pierre
Head Coach: Mike McCarthy
2025 Record: 10-7
McCarthy takes over for Mike Tomlin. The Steelers' quarterback room continues to be in flux as Aaron Rodgers' potential return has yet to come to fruition. Whoever lines up under center will have some new weapons at their disposal with Pittman and second-round receiver Germie Bernard joining DK Metcalf.
Week 10: vs. Los Angeles Chargers
When: Monday, Nov. 16
TV: ESPN, 8:15 p.m.
Key Storylines
Minter will face his former team for the first time as Baltimore's head coach, after spending two seasons as the Chargers' defensive coordinator.
He'll go head-to-head against Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh, one of Minter's primary mentors. When Harbaugh was Michigan's head coach, he hired Minter away from Vanderbilt to become the Wolverines' defensive coordinator. Minter and Harbaugh won a national championship together at Michigan in 2023, then Minter followed Harbaugh to the Chargers.
Harbaugh will also have emotions on the opposite sideline. He'll be facing the Ravens for the first time since they parted ways with his brother, John Harbaugh, after 18 seasons as head coach.
It was John Harbaugh who hired Minter in 2017 to be a Ravens defensive assistant. The four years Minter spent in Baltimore (2017-2020) gave him his first NFL experience and valuable insight into the Ravens' organization.
Coaching against a Harbaugh will be a new experience for Minter, and he also has close relationships with many of the Chargers' players and staff. The connection between the two coaches and Minter's previous ties to the Chargers will be widely discussed leading into this matchup.
Here are the battles fans should look forward to in the 2026 season.
Ravens S Kyle Hamilton vs. Colts TE Tyler Warren, Week 1
Warren is one of the best young tight ends in the league. He led the Colts in targets (112) as a rookie and posted 817 yards and four touchdowns. Hamilton is a versatile tight end eraser who will also be called on to provide run support versus Jonathan Taylor.
Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey vs. Saints WR Jordyn Tyson, Week 2
The Saints picked up a high-flying rookie wide receiver in the first round to pair with Chris Olave, who posted 1,163 receiving yards last season. That duo will be a strong test for Baltimore's secondary.
Ravens CB Nate Wiggins vs. Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb, Week 3
Wiggins' welcome to the NFL moment was facing off against Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb in 2024. Now entering Year 3, Wiggins has a chance to show how much he's grown.
Ravens G Vega Ioane vs. Titans DT Jeffrey Simmons, Week 4
The Titans defense is anchored by Simmons, a massive four-time Pro Bowler known for his nasty demeanor. That suits Ioane, who brings an edge to his blocking.
Ravens LB Roquan Smith vs. Falcons RB Bijan Robinson, Week 5
Robinson had the fourth-most rushing yards in the NFL last season and Atlanta will keep feeding him the rock. Robinson is a home-run threat that Smith must contain for a win.
Ravens LT Ronnie Stanley vs. Browns DE Myles Garrett, Week 6
Garrett had 5 ½ sacks against the Ravens in two games last year, which helped vault him to the NFL's single-season sack record. Garrett is extremely difficult to block, and it will be interesting to see what adjustments the Ravens make.
Ravens CB Nate Wiggins vs. Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase, Week 7
Wiggins will look to become one of the NFL's top cornerbacks this season and he'll have a battle with one of the top wide receivers. In two games last season, Chase had 17 catches for 242 yards. He's been a major thorn in the Ravens' side.
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson vs. Bills QB Josh Allen, Week 8
They don't directly face each other, but whenever these star quarterbacks and MVPs square off, it's a must-see shootout that lives up to the billing.
Ravens WR Rashod Bateman vs. Jaguars CB Travis Hunter, Week 9
Hunter is reportedly making the switch from primarily being a wide receiver to majoring at cornerback. A premier route-runner, Bateman could give Hunter trouble on the perimeter.
Ravens S Kyle Hamilton vs. Chargers TE Charlie Kolar, Week 10
It's a battle of former teammates when Hamilton tries to blow up Kolar's blocks and stymie the Chargers' rushing attack. This will also be a Baltimore reunion for running back Keaton Mitchell, and Hamilton will be charged with not letting Mitchell break loose.
Ravens OLB Mike Green vs. Panthers RT Monroe Freeling, Week 11
The Ravens expect a breakout season from Green and he'll have a juicy matchup against the Panthers' rookie first-round pick.
Ravens WR Zay Flowers vs. Texans CB Derek Stingley Jr., Week 12
Flowers is one of the NFL's top receivers and Stingley is one of its premier cornerbacks. The Texans blew out the Ravens last season, 44-10, but Flowers had a team-high five catches for 72 yards.
Ravens OLB Trey Hendrickson vs. Buccaneers LT Tristan Wirfs, Week 14
Wirfs is a monster and one of the toughest blockers to get around. Hendrickson will look to help the Ravens get pressure on Baker Mayfield.
Ravens RB Derrick Henry vs. Steelers LB Patrick Queen, Week 15
Henry versus the Ravens' former inside linebacker is always must-see TV. Henry ran by Queen in the 2024 playoffs and he'll be looking to give Queen a taste of his stiff-arm this season.
Ravens G Vega Ioane vs. Browns DT Mason Graham, Week 16
Ioane is the Ravens' new first-round pick. Graham was the Browns' fifth-overall pick in 2025. These two will battle it out for years to come in the AFC North, going a long way in determining who wins in the trenches.
Ravens OLB Trey Hendrickson vs. Bengals LT Orlando Brown Jr., Week 17
Hendrickson will face his former team twice this year, turning practice battles with Brown, a former Raven, into the real thing. Hendrickson's ability to get after Joe Burrow could go a long way in deciding the AFC North winner.
Ravens RT Roger Rosengarten vs. Steelers OLB T.J. Watt, Week 18
Rosengarten has held Watt without a sack against the Ravens over their last three meetings. Can the Ravens' right tackle do it again in Year 3?
Week 17: @ Cincinnati Bengals
When: Thursday, Dec. 31
TV: Prime Video, 8:15 p.m.
Key Storylines
Joe Burrow got his wish.
The Bengals' franchise quarterback complained last year about Cincinnati having to play a primetime game in Baltimore the past three seasons.
"Playing in Baltimore for the fourth straight year in prime time isn't ideal," Burrow said.. "Maybe we can get one of those in Cincinnati. Please."
This primetime matchup will be played on New Year's Eve in Cincinnati, which should only add juice to the atmosphere. This game could have major implications for the AFC North crown and playoff seeding.
Meanwhile, this game will have special meaning for outside linebacker Trey Hendrickson, who left the Bengals to sign with the Ravens this offseason. Bringing down Burrow a few times would please Hendrickson. Coming back with a victory from Cincinnati would be a great way for the Ravens to bring in the new year.
