Ravens’ chaotic 2025 finish makes AFC North a total guessing game

Following another season where the Baltimore Ravens won the AFC North crown, it was expected that the team would have a tough path ahead in the 2025 regular season.

From start to finish, the Ravens face a difficult schedule with no shortage of tough opponents. Along with the always grueling AFC North matchups, Baltimore will face teams like the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, and many more. But the end of the road might be one of the least forgiving. 

Backend of Ravens' 2025 schedule will be chaotic

From Week 1 to Week 18, it is all gas and no brakes for the Ravens. They’ll have to be at their best all season if they want a top playoff seed, which is especially true for the end of the season. Four of their last six games are against division rivals.

All four are against the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Ravens face off against the Bengals in Week 13 for Thanksgiving’s Primetime game and in Week 15. Their games with Pittsburgh are set for Week 14 and Week 18 to wrap up the regular season. With the AFC North title on the line, these might be the most physical division battles we’ve seen in a long time, with little time to rest.

All the progress made from Week 1 against the Bills through Week 12 against the New York Jets will be wiped away. These six games, notably the four against Baltimore’s most bitter rivals, are their biggest test.

No matter how big of a lead the Ravens can build up on these rivals throughout the year, the final stretch should ultimately decide the division and, in turn, one of the top seeds in the conference. It’s always an action-packed division race between the Ravens, Bengals, and Steelers during the 17-game slate, but the king of the North will be decided in these final matchups.

Baltimore also doesn’t have the most forgiving draw in terms of location. Three of the final four games—Bengals, Green Bay Packers, and Steelers—are in the opponent’s house. Not only will Baltimore face the tumultuous crowds at Paycor Stadium and Acrisure Stadium, but with the North at the balance in late December and early January, they'll be in for a brawl on the gridiron with the Bengals and Steelers. The Ravens also head to Lambeau Field for their bout with the Packers, another toxic environment where fans endlessly pester opponents to push their team to victory, as Green Bay could be looking to lock up the NFC North in Week 17.

As we inch closer to the 2025 NFL season, fans will be treated to instant classics like Baltimore’s rematch with the Bills on Sunday Night Football in Week 1. However, no matter how much Baltimore impresses in the early going, the final six-game stretch will reveal how prepared they are for another run to the playoffs. They’ll be battle-tested all season, but that final stretch could be the difference between a first-round bye, a wild-card spot, or even elimination from playoff contention.

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