If you’re checking the schedule to see if the Baltimore Ravens play tomorrow, I’ve got the answer for you, and it’s probably not what you want to hear if you were hoping for a gameday atmosphere this Sunday.
The short answer: No, the Baltimore Ravens do not play tomorrow, Sunday, January 18, 2026.
The Ravens' 2025-2026 campaign officially wrapped up on January 4, 2026, following a tough 26-24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. While the NFL postseason is currently in full swing with the Divisional Round taking place this weekend, Baltimore is watching from the sidelines this year.
Why aren't the Ravens on the schedule tomorrow?
Honestly, it’s a bit of a bummer for the Flock. The team finished the regular season with an 8-9 record, which simply wasn’t enough to crack the AFC playoff field. They finished second in the AFC North, but in a conference where the wildcard race was a literal bloodbath, eight wins just didn't cut it.
If you look at the NFL Divisional Round schedule for tomorrow, Sunday, January 18, you’ll see these matchups instead:
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots (3:00 p.m. ET)
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (6:30 p.m. ET)
It’s strange not seeing Lamar Jackson and the crew preparing for a deep January run, especially given how competitive they were in the middle of the season. That Week 15 shutout against the Bengals (24-0) had everyone thinking they might sneak in, but those close losses to New England and Pittsburgh at the tail end of the year effectively ended the dream.
A look back at the 2025 season
The season was a rollercoaster. Total madness at times. We saw massive wins, like the 41-17 dismantling of the Cleveland Browns in Week 2 and that high-scoring 41-24 victory over Green Bay at Lambeau Field in late December. But the consistency just wasn't there.
One major factor was the road schedule. Playing in Buffalo, Kansas City, and Pittsburgh is never easy, and the Ravens dropped all three of those marquee matchups by very slim margins. Those three games alone represent the difference between the 8-9 reality we're in and an 11-6 record that would have likely secured a home playoff game.
Key 2025 Results
- Week 1: Lost to Buffalo Bills (41-40) - A heartbreaker.
- Week 15: Defeated Cincinnati Bengals (24-0) - The peak of the defense.
- Week 17: Defeated Green Bay Packers (41-24) - Lamar was unstoppable.
- Week 18: Lost to Pittsburgh Steelers (26-24) - The season-ender.
What’s next for the Ravens Flock?
Since the question of whether the Baltimore Ravens play tomorrow is settled, most fans are already looking toward the 2026 off-season. January is usually when the "real" work starts for the front office.
General Manager Eric DeCosta and the scouting department are likely already hunkered down in Owings Mills. With the season over, the focus shifts to the 2026 NFL Draft and free agency. Rosters for the 2026 season officially begin to take shape in early March, but the foundational scouting happens right now while the playoffs are happening.
2026 Opponents already locked in
Even though we don't have the exact dates yet—the NFL usually drops the full schedule in May—we already know who Baltimore will be facing next season.
Home Games at M&T Bank Stadium:
- Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers (The usual suspects).
- Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Los Angeles Chargers.
Away Games:
- The AFC North rivals (Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pittsburgh).
- Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, Carolina Panthers, Buffalo Bills, and the Dallas Cowboys.
That’s a tough road slate. Going to Dallas and Buffalo in the same year is a tall order for any squad.
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Actionable insights for Ravens fans
Since there's no game tomorrow, here is how you can stay plugged into the team during the early off-season:
- Monitor the Coaching Staff: Keep an eye on the "Black Monday" fallout and subsequent weeks. While John Harbaugh is a staple, assistant coaches often get poached for coordinator or head coaching jobs elsewhere during this window.
- Roster Freeze Awareness: Note that for teams still in the playoffs, rosters are frozen as of Wednesday, January 7. For the Ravens, they can already begin signing "reserve/future" contracts for players they want to keep in the system for the 2026 training camp.
- Draft Positioning: With an 8-9 record, the Ravens will be picking in the middle of the first round. Start looking at mock drafts specifically targeting edge rushers or offensive line depth, which were clear areas of need during the late-season slide.
- Stay Updated on Injuries: Use this time to track the recovery of players who ended the season on IR. Having a healthy roster for the start of the 2026 program in April is the first step toward getting back into the playoffs.
While you won't see the purple and black on the field tomorrow, the 2026 season cycle is already beginning behind the scenes.