Top 5 Pivotal Match-Ups In The 2015 Ravens Schedule
The Baltimore Ravens have high expectations for the 2015 season. It seems Joe Flacco, 30, is hitting his stride and could be reaching his prime. Steve Smith Sr. has announced he will retire following the season. The defensive backfield is healthier (minus the loss of Matt Elam who probably wasn't going to start) and is much improved compared to last season. They are a true contender.
Not to take away from the other games in the schedule, these games just seem like bigger match-ups on paper. Yes, it's early and a lot can change between now and week 17 but here we go.
Week 1 - Denver Broncos at Mile High Stadium
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It's important to start the season strong and set the tone for the year. This could potentially be Peyton Manning's final season. He's not about to go out with a dud and, as the Ravens found out in the 2013 season opener, nothing is more dangerous than a fresh and rested Peyton. The Ravens will face their former offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak who took over the Broncos' head coach position. Their wide receiving corps has big names like Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas but they have an aging Owen Daniels at tight end -- A huge downgrade from Julius Thomas. But Peyton has the ability to make any other team's third string WR look like a star. This will be the first true test for the Ravens revamped secondary. Don't expect Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware, Aqib Talib or T.J. Ward to take it easy on the Ravens offense either.
Week 2 - Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum
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Ok, we know what you're thinking. "It's Oakland. Why is this a big match-up?" Glad you asked. The Raiders are greatly improved this year under head coach Jack Del Rio and they have a potential star QB in Derek Carr who has a rookie of the year candidate in Amari Cooper to throw to. To add to the difficulty of playing in Oakland, the Ravens will be coming off of a Week 1 road game in Denver and are reportedly staying on the west coast, rather than traveling home and then heading back across the country. They will travel to San Jose after Denver and set up practice there until Sunday's game an hour north in Oakland. They will do this twice this season but this is the first time. It will be new to the team and a big change for the players.
Week 14 - Seattle Seahawks at M&T Bank Stadium
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Seattle is going to be another tough team in 2015, after winning the 2013 Super Bowl and being crowned 2014 NFC Champions. Many are predicting a rematch of last year's NFC Championship game this year with the Seahawks and Packers being the two top teams in the division. Pete Carroll's club has a solid offense and a stout defense. When it comes to tough games on the schedule, this game is a no-brainer. These teams both have the potential to be playing in Super Bowl L (50) so at this point, pre-season, let's look at it as a preview for the big game.
Week 16 - Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium
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Why this game and not the game in Pittsburgh? Because it's the second match-up between the two teams and depending on how the game in Pittsburgh goes (Thursday Night, Week 4) it could very well determine who wins the AFC North. Not to mention that the Ravens-Steelers game is one of the biggest rivalries in all of football, it will be played in prime time on Sunday Night Football. This one kind of explains itself.
Week 17 - Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium
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Just as important as setting the tone in the start of the season, it's important to finish strong. Let's hope the Ravens have already clinched the division by this point but that's highly unlikely. The Bengals have proven to be a formidable opponent in the regular season and this game could have potentially huge repercussions. Much like the game against the Steelers a week earlier, this game could decide the AFC North champ. Remember, Andy Dalton only struggles in the playoffs and this is Week 17, not the playoffs. Beware.