The "Guess the 2013 Home Opener" thread

[ratedr]

I know it's a bit early to look towards next season, we all want to savor the win. But truthfully, I was thinking about this as soon as the Ravens won the AFC title game. So who do you all think we'll play for the Thursday Night Opener?

I listed what I thought were the most likely choices separately.

I think the order of likelihood goes like this:
1. Steelers
2. Packers
3. Patriots
4. Texans
5. Others

My money is on the Steelers. Huge rivalry game that's already guaranteed a yearly primetime spot. The Steelers missed the playoffs, so there's a nice "can the Steelers reign once again in the North, or does this division forever belong to the Ravens?" storyline there.

The Packers would be a nice change of pace for us, but I don't see it trumping the Steelers. And I can't see the Ravens getting ANOTHER primetime game against NE (because it will be in primetime or at the very least at 4:25, trust me) so early in the season.

I don't see the Texans as nearly as likely as the other three, but they were a playoff team and thus deserve some consideration. The Bengals were too, but we opened with them last year, doubtful it happens again.

Thoughts?

[The Raven]

It's out of the blue, but I'd like the Packers. It could be a really good match up, and a test for Joe. Think of the publicity and hype surrounding that game. Defending SB MVP Joe Flacco vs former SB MVP Aaron Rodgers.

Ravens vs Packers would be a great idea, I think.

Ravens and Broncos wouldn't be a bad one either.

[ravensfan2424]

Really can only see it being the Patriots. Back to back AFC championships played by the two, and whenever they play it's always an exciting game. If it wasn't I'd have to say Texans or Steelers, but they don't sound as favorable for NBC as Baltimore v. New England

[CalvinSmoke]

If Denver where on our schedule it would have been them. Hands down, no debating. But since it isn't them, I see it being the Houston Texans. We've had some good back and forths with them and we played them in Houston last year.

[ravensfan2424]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1360011884' post='1345116']
It's out of the blue, but I'd like the Packers. It could be a really good match up, and a test for Joe. Think of the publicity and hype surrounding that game. Defending SB MVP Joe Flacco vs former SB MVP Aaron Rodgers.

Ravens vs Packers would be a great idea, I think.

Ravens and Broncos wouldn't be a bad one either.
[/quote]

We play Broncos at Denver next year

[ratedr]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1360011884' post='1345116']
It's out of the blue, but I'd like the Packers. It could be a really good match up, and a test for Joe. Think of the publicity and hype surrounding that game. Defending SB MVP Joe Flacco vs former SB MVP Aaron Rodgers.

Ravens vs Packers would be a great idea, I think.

Ravens and Broncos wouldn't be a bad one either.
[/quote]We play @DEN. If not, I think that would have been the choice hands down. Rematch of a legendary game,

I do think that our game @DEN will be a primetime game though,

[PuRock]

Hopefully the Steelers are playing us at home when we receive our Super Bowl rings. They always pull that crap on us.

Denver opened up early this year. So my guess is Texans.

[BALTIMOREFLACCO]

Patriots in Baltimore on primetime again.

[GrimCoconut]

Let's see...going off this list I can conclude:

[url="http://www.baltimoreravens.com/gameday/future-opponents.html"]http://www.baltimoreravens.com/gameday/future-opponents.html[/url]

We play the New England Patriots at Home! Re-match of the AFCCG!

[RavensAllTheWay]

I would like Houston, but that wouldn't draw the ratings that NE or PIT or even GB would likely draw.

[Guest Im An Ozzie Newsome Guy]

New England Patriots

/thread

[Gordo52]

I'm going with New England. Since we won, it will be the opening game of the season right?

[Juviebest]

It'll be the Pats for sure. Thursday night home/league opener...I'm there!

[SecretAgentMan]

Either NE or Denver. One of those Two

[redrum52]

Steelers or Pats. Preferably Steelers so we can see what Woodley has to say now...

[Purple_ICE 81]

I feel like New England is part of our division now...we play them too much. Hoping we open against Texans

[marylandmike12]

as long as we win it doesn't matter

[luvrayrice27]

is the schedule posted?

[ratedr]

[quote name='luvrayrice27' timestamp='1360024069' post='1345476']
is the schedule posted?
[/quote]The official schedule doesn't come out until around the draft.

[ratedr]

[quote name='Mr. Irrelevant' timestamp='1360021962' post='1345417']
Either NE or Denver. One of those Two
[/quote]Can't be Denver, that's a road game.

[PurpleChaos]

Typically the champs kick off the season that thursday vs a rematch of a playoff foe at home. If in the event one is not on your schedule it would be a divisional game. It will be us vs New England Book it!

[luvrayrice27]

im kinda tired of NE lol Green Bay would be a new and exciting change

[PuRock]

Ah man. Lets not forget how tough it is to be SB champs. Every team guns for you. With the retirements, cap issues, and tough schedule. Next year could be tough. At least we get to bask in the glory either way.

[NaveSenrag]

Gotta say, playing NE twice every season is getting old, but I love knocking off the hard teams early in the year, and especially when the coaches have a month or two to gameplan.

My order is Pack, NE, Steelers, and Texans.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='NaveSenrag' timestamp='1360025408' post='1345522']
Gotta say, playing NE twice every season is getting old, but I love knocking off the hard teams early in the year, and especially when the coaches have a month or two to gameplan.

My order is Pack, NE, Steelers, and Texans.
[/quote]
Man, that would be a hard stretch.

Week 1: VS NE
Week 2: @ DEN
Week 3: VS HOU
Week 4: VS GB
Week 5: @ PIT
Week 6: @ CIN
Week 7: VS MIN

We'd face every playoff team from 2012 in the first seven weeks.

[NaveSenrag]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1360026684' post='1345555']
Man, that would be a hard stretch.

Week 1: VS NE
Week 2: @ DEN
Week 3: VS HOU
Week 4: VS GB
Week 5: @ PIT
Week 6: @ CIN
Week 7: VS MIN

We'd face every playoff team from 2012 in the first seven weeks.
[/quote]
Oh, no. I meant order of likelihood for the opener. That would be a sadistic opening stretch, and make for a rather boring rest of the season.

And I know it's a hard habit to break, but the Steelers weren't in the playoffs last year. It was the Colts.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='NaveSenrag' timestamp='1360026862' post='1345563']
Oh, no. I meant order of likelihood for the opener. That would be a sadistic opening stretch, and make for a rather boring rest of the season.

And I know it's a hard habit to break, but the Steelers weren't in the playoffs last year. It was the Colts.
[/quote]
I know. I added the Steelers because they're our oldest nemesis.

And you never know. Other teams might really improve. I for one think the Browns could be a dangerous team next year.

[NaveSenrag]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1360027420' post='1345585']
I know. I added the Steelers because they're our oldest nemesis.

And you never know. Other teams might really improve. I for one think the Browns could be a dangerous team next year.
[/quote]
Could be. Weeden simply doesn't have the time to learn to be a real QB before his age catches up to him. They've once again paired a young (read: inexperienced) coach with a young team. Mike Lombardi has a terrible track record for evaluating talent in the last few years. That defense is going to kill though, Richardson is going to be a beast, and they have some great receivers especially Josh Gordon.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='NaveSenrag' timestamp='1360027892' post='1345603']
Could be. Weeden simply doesn't have the time to learn to be a real QB before his age catches up to him. They've once again paired a young (read: inexperienced) coach with a young team. Mike Lombardi has a terrible track record for evaluating talent in the last few years. That defense is going to kill though, Richardson is going to be a beast, and they have some great receivers especially Josh Gordon.
[/quote]
That's my point. I think with their offensive line, their RB, their receivers, and a decent Weeden, with a REALLY good defense with two excellent coordinators that they have what it takes to make the post-season. I don't think they will go far, but I think they will finally make it.

[redrum52]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1360024950' post='1345506']
Ah man. Lets not forget how tough it is to be SB champs. Every team guns for you. With the retirements, cap issues, and tough schedule. Next year could be tough. At least we get to bask in the glory either way.
[/quote]

This is why next year's should be exciting. Tough schedule brings out the best of this team. Offense with time under Caldwell, defense getting guys back healthy, Ozzie reloading and the most important thing... The confidence that comes from winning a championship. Next year will be fun. No way this team has the same injury problems next year, I hope.