2022 Ravens Regular Season Preview

Another season is here and it's time to go through the teams we will be seeing this season. The Ravens finished 8-9 with a 6-game losing streak to close it out. Many pundits are saying the Ravens will go from worst to first because of the return of many key pieces of their offense.

I'm so sick of the same old same old from the critics, the media, and everyone giving our quarterback Lamar Jackson a bunch of crap for being the quarterback that he is.

September 11: At. New York Jets (1pm, CBS - WJZ)

The season will open at the New Meadowlands against Zac Wilson and the New York Jets. I am expecting Zac Wilson to take a big step forward but the Jets to take somewhat of a step back despite a rather strong draft... Zac Wilson last year did not do very well as he was thrown into the fire right away. I'm expecting the Jets to do better but maybe just one or two wins better. They signed TE CJ Uzomah to be a blocking presence and also welcomed Laken Tomlinson to shore up the line.The Ravens should come in angered at the criticisms levied at the team and Lamar Jackson. I expect this to be a win.

September 18: Vs. Miami Dolphins (1pm, CBS - WJZ)

Tua Tagavailoa should have a good season next year but the Dolphins have never been real good in Baltimore, having lost their last 3 games there. The Dolphins improved on defense but they're still rather weak in the secondary despite signing Xzavien Howard to a long term deal. Tyreek Hill joins the Dolphins on a 4-year, $120M deal in exchange for a train robbery of draft picks. Cedrick Wilson will be a great flanker. Terron Armstead was signed in free agency to shore up the Left side of the line. Raheem Mostert will more than likely be their starting RB. Last year, the Ravens lost a game they should've won, however, they were in fact injured to hell and back and did have some major drive closing issues. The Ravens always come out strong on "home openers" and I expect this one to be a win. The fans will be loud and proud.

September 25: At. New England Patriots (1pm - FOX - WBFF)

Mac Jones is a dynamic quarterback and the Patriots did make some re-adjustments to their defense but not enough of an impact on their secondary. Jones could run into the sophomore slump this year. They added DeVante Parker, Devin McCourty, and Jabrill Peppers. Trent Brown was signed to a short term deal to help out the line. This game might be tight... I can't put a win or loss on this one.

October 2: Vs. Buffalo Bills (1pm - CBS - WJZ)

Ok... We just played the ENTIRE AFC EAST in 4 straight games. Did you all notice that? Josh Allen will be out for blood after losing to the Chiefs in the AFC Divisional last year in OT which... was a classic, no doubt but... what did the Bills do to fix their secondary and special teams? They did big on the defense with the addition of Von Miller, Tim Settle, and Jordan Phillips. But again, THEY DID NOT FIX their porous special teams that was ranked 29th last year. The last time Buffalo came here? They got their bells wrung, 47-10.

October 9: Vs. Bengals (8:15pm - NBC - WBAL)

Last time they came to Baltimore... they embarrassed us. I think it was probably the first time we gave up 40 points in quite some time... Bengals hadn't had a lot of space to work with but they did make some moves with adding former Raven Hayden Hurst and also welcoming B.J. Hill and Ted Karras to their respective lines. The Ravens are going to be out for revenge over last year... I personally want to see Joe Burrow put on his ass and if Lamar can beat Joe Burrow... Trust me, the critics will find every excuse in the book to say why Joe Burrow did better. Look for the Ravens to win this one in style.

October 16: At. New York Giants (1pm - CBS - WJZ)

The Ravens have never beaten the Giants at New Meadowlands and the Giants did not make the moves necessary to be a contender. Daniel Jones had 5th year option declined and last time vs. the Ravens, he was massacred. Ravens coming up with 7 sacks and holding him under 200 yards passing. Have the Giants not learned that he is NOT A GOOD QB yet the media continues to make excuses that he is. Jones has potential but I believe he's in the wrong system. If Baltimore comes up with a big win vs. the Bengals the week prior. I'm sure the Giants will be running for their lives. Saquon Barkley is a big question mark? Can he stay healthy. I look for the Ravens to win this one.

October 23: Vs. Cleveland Browns (1pm - CBS - WJZ)

The Browns will Brown. They signed Deshaun Watson who is facing a 8 to 12 game suspension from the league. They bring in Brissett and Rosen to back him up... Amari Cooper was acquired in a trade. David Njoku signed a big deal in the offseason. Despite winning vs. the Ravens at the end of the season last year, they didn't look very good at all. The loss of Baker Mayfield is going to suck badly. Look for the Ravens to get revenge.

October 27: At. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8:20pm - Amazon)

Is Brady trying to prove something by coming back at age 45? Is he? I believe wholeheartedly that the fans (not of Buccaneer loyalty) are getting tired of Brady. There's nothing more he can win. He has SEVEN TITLES... He has reached the pinnacle of achievement and further, why don't the NFL just prep his damn bust for the hall of fame already! This guy just doesn't quit. Chris Godwin and Russell Gage are back with the Bucs. But the Buccaneers did nothing to fix their defense despite over $34 million in cap room! Leonard Fournette showed up looking like a fatty at training camp!!! Dangerously overweight and apparently looking like Warren Sapp. This game is on Amazon and I'm personally no fan of Thursday games... Keep the games on Sunday... we have a quick turnaround and not enough time to practice and gear up for the game. This is why the home team is so dominant on Thursdays. One good hit on Brady... PLEASE.

November 7: At. New Orleans Saints (8:15pm - ESPN - WMAR)

Ok, we just played a primetime game and they are giving us another one for Monday Night Football? Maybe the Ravens will have an advantage over the Saints that game since they will have "partial" rest after a tough one against the Buccaneers. The Saints welcome Tyrann Mathieu and Daniel Sorenson. The Ravens will also have to contend with Andy Dalton against if Winston were to get hurt. The Ravens have dealt with the Superdome very very well the last few times they played there.

WEEK 10 - BYE WEEK

I expect the Ravens to win the bye week with rest and readiness for their next battle vs. the Panthers.

November 20: Vs. Carolina Panthers (1pm - FOX - WBFF)

We got plenty of rest and now we have to deal with Baker Mayfield and a rather strangely built Carolina Panthers team that didn't do much in the offseason except make that move. Carolina is 0-6 all-time in Baltimore. Bradley Bozeman returns to his starting roots. The Ravens will have to deal with Terp D.J. Moore who had a phenomenal year last year.

November 27: At. Jacksonville Jaguars (1pm - CBS - WJZ)

World cup is still thankfully in the group stages and USA plays Iran on Nov. 29th. Jaguars went out and built a team for Trevor Lawrence as they had over $90 million in cap space and they went on a spending spree to fix that piece of crap team they had last year under Urban Meyer. I don't expect the Jaguars to really turn a corner as they are still dealing with a crappy stadium, pathetic ownership, and moreover, personnel issues. Maybe a 2-win improvement but they're not going to trip up the Ravens here.

December 4: Vs. Denver Broncos (1pm - CBS - WJZ)

Denver traded the lot and then some for Russell Wilson. Randy Gregory joins the Broncos on a 5 year deal and D.J. Jones will load up the line with the load of lard he carries. Ravens could have a time against Denver, but they haven't won here since 2012.

December 11: Vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (1pm - CBS - WJZ)

Steelers shat the bed this year with a lousy free agency, a terrible draft, and losing Ben Roethlisberger (thank God). I do believe that they will be on a downward trend this year and for the foreseeable future. I know damn well they're not going to put Kenny Pickett in the line of fire that quickly. I expect the Ravens to come out gunning and ready to go because after last year... Ravens have had it with the Steelers messing up eveything.

December 17 or 18: At Cleveland (TBD):

No mas. World Cup Final actually sounds like more fun to watch.

December 24: Vs. Atlanta Falcons (1pm - FOX - WBFF)

When was the last time we played a game at home on Christmas Eve...? Atlanta did the thing and jettisoned Matt Ryan to the Colts.. Don't know what they were thinking but they did. They made some bold moves with the signing of Mariota, Edwards, Jarrett, and so on. They signed a lot of players to 1-year deals but again... THEY STILL HAVE DEFENSIVE AND SPECIAL TEAMS ISSUES! Have we not learned, Atlanta. Well this could be a very big Christmas Eve win for the Ravens but what sucks? This is our last home game for the season... SERIOUSLY NFL!?

January 1: At. Pittsburgh Steelers (1pm - CBS - WJZ)

Happy 2023. The NFL will have to compete with the Winter Classic. What fun. The Steelers should be out of the playoff picture here.

January 7 or 8: At. Cincinnati Bengals (TBD)

Why can't we have the big games at home?

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I expect a 12-5 or 13-4 season out of the Ravens this year. The Ravens are going to be out for blood and revenge this season.