The Baltimore Ravens are staring down a gauntlet of a schedule in 2026, and it's not just their AFC North rivals that should have fans on edge. Despite finishing second in the division last season, the road ahead is loaded with heavyweight opponents from across the league. Under new head coach Jesse Minter, the Ravens will need to be battle-ready from Week 1.
With matchups against the AFC South, NFC South, and a host of other second-place finishers, there won't be many "easy" Sundays in Baltimore this year. Here are the five biggest non-division games that could define the Ravens' 2026 campaign.
5. Dallas Cowboys
It doesn't matter what their record says—playing the Dallas Cowboys is always a primetime event. The Ravens will head to AT&T Stadium to face a star-studded roster that's hungry to prove it still belongs among the NFC elite. With playmakers on both sides of the ball, this is the kind of cross-conference clash that could easily become one of the NFL's most-watched games of the year.
4. Buffalo Bills
Any time Baltimore and Buffalo share a field, it feels like a playoff preview. The Bills are coming off another 12-win season and remain one of the most complete teams in the AFC. Heading to upstate New York only adds to the challenge, especially in what could be one of the conference's most anticipated regular-season showdowns. For Ravens fans, this is a must-watch.
3. Houston Texans
DeMeco Ryans has turned Houston into one of the toughest teams in football. After a slow start, the Texans finished 12-5 and ranked among the league's best in DVOA. Baltimore's offense will face a serious test against this aggressive, physical defense. This matchup has all the makings of a season-defining slugfest.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars
Don't sleep on the Jags. Under first-year head coach Liam Coen, Jacksonville quietly exploded for 13 wins and captured the AFC South. Trevor Lawrence looked every bit like a franchise quarterback again, and the offense is one of the most dangerous in the conference. Hosting this ascending team at M&T Bank Stadium will be a major early-season measuring stick for Baltimore.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
It wouldn't be a Ravens season preview without mentioning the defending champs. While the Chiefs are technically an AFC opponent, they're not in the North—and that makes this the biggest non-division game on the schedule. Patrick Mahomes and company remain the gold standard, and any meeting between these two powerhouses is appointment viewing. For Baltimore, it's a chance to prove they can hang with the very best.