Even after last season's run to the AFC championship game, the Ravens weren't given as much respect as anticipated by NFL schedule-makers.
Nearly a third of the league received more prime-time games than the Ravens when the NFL announced its 2009 schedule Tuesday. The Ravens, who return 19 of 22 starters from an 11-5 team, are scheduled for three national television games.
Ten teams (the Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles) will make at least four appearances in prime time. The Bears, Cowboys and Patriots didn't make the playoffs last season.
There is a chance the Ravens could earn more national television games because the final seven Sunday night games are subject to flexible scheduling.
The Ravens' marquee game is a Nov. 29 Sunday night showdown against the defending Super Bowl champion Steelers, the team's first home prime-time game against the Steelers since 2003. The Ravens' other national TV games are on the road - Monday nights at Cleveland (Nov. 16) and Green Bay (Dec. 7).
"We like the schedule, especially for our fans," Ravens president Dick Cass said. "Seven of our eight regular-season home games are scheduled for 1 p.m. And we know the fans will be excited to have the Steelers come here for a prime-time game."
The Ravens' regular season begins Sept. 13 against the Kansas City Chiefs - the first time the Ravens have started consecutive seasons at home since moving to M&T Bank Stadium in 1998.
"We knew who we were going to play, and the schedule now gives us dates we can target," coach John Harbaugh said. "Our focus since the end of last season is to keep finding ways to get better. That's what we're doing now. We'll be ready when the regular season starts against the Chiefs, and we'll keep working so that we'll be even better when December comes."
HOMES GAMES IN YELLOW
WEEK ........................................................... JAMISON HENSLEY'S COMMENTS
1. -- CHIEFS -- SUNDAY SEPT 13, 1 P.M. (HOME) --Surprisingly, the Ravens have not beaten the Chiefs in Baltimore (0-3 all time).
2. CHARGERS -- SUNDAY SEPT. 20 4:15 P.M. -- The Ravens can't let Antonio Gates run free like he did in 2007.
3. BROWNS -- SUNDAY SEPT. 27 1 P.M (HOME) -- The Ravens have won five of the past six against the Browns at M&T Bank Stadium.
