Sweet Science Sports (S³) · NFL Season Preview
2026 Baltimore
Ravens Season Preview
Retooled, Not Rebuilt · Contender Status Restored
The Ravens are trying to bounce back after their first losing season in years. Instead of rebuilding, General Manager Eric DeCosta retooled the roster by investing in the offensive line, pass rush, and pass-catching depth while handing the team to new head coach Jesse Minter.
2025 Season Review
Baltimore's first losing season in years prompted a full-scale retool rather than a rebuild. DeCosta attacked every major weakness — offensive line, pass rush, and receiving depth — through both free agency and a blockbuster draft class.
M&T Bank Stadium
Coaching Staff
Jesse Minter inherits a talented roster with championship expectations. His biggest task is restoring Baltimore's defensive identity while keeping Lamar Jackson and the offense among the AFC's most dangerous units.
2026 NFL Draft
An immediate investment in protecting Lamar Jackson after losing Tyler Linderbaum.
An explosive pass rusher who joins Trey Hendrickson to strengthen Baltimore's front seven.
Adds size, speed, and another vertical weapon opposite Zay Flowers.
Free Agency — Additions
The Ravens attacked free agency aggressively, addressing every major roster weakness.
The Ravens finally added an elite edge rusher capable of changing games on his own.
Reinforces the interior offensive line.
Veteran leader returns to fortify the defensive front.
Adds depth and versatility to the secondary.
Helps replace the departed Tyler Linderbaum.
Veteran tight end added for blocking and depth.
Familiar backup quarterback returns to Baltimore.
Experienced corner added to the secondary rotation.
Depth piece for the offensive line.
Biggest Losses
The biggest loss is Tyler Linderbaum, one of the NFL's premier centers. Baltimore answered by reinforcing the interior offensive line through both free agency and the draft.
One of the NFL's premier centers. The biggest loss of the offseason.
Productive pass-catching tight end.
Reliable blocking tight end.
Starting safety who departed in free agency.
Depth safety lost from the secondary.
S³ Strengths
S³ Concerns
S³ Prediction
Division-title upside if Minter establishes his culture quickly and the offensive line gels.
🏆 S³ Final Verdict
Baltimore attacked every major weakness from its 8–9 season. The Ravens became more physical up front, added a premier pass rusher, and gave Lamar Jackson additional weapons. If Jesse Minter establishes his culture quickly and the offensive line gels after the departure of Tyler Linderbaum, Baltimore has enough talent to return to contender status.
S³ Final Prediction
13–4
S³ Report · NFL
Baltimore Ravens
2026 Season Schedule
Preseason
Regular Season
S³ Toughest Stretch
Weeks 5–8
at Falcons (SNF)
at Browns
vs Bengals
at Bills
Weeks 15–18
at Steelers
vs Browns
at Bengals (TNF)
vs Steelers
Prime-Time Games · 4 Total
Rivalry Games
Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 15 — Away
Week 18 — Home
Cincinnati Bengals
Week 7 — Home
Week 17 — Away (TNF)
Cleveland Browns
Week 6 — Away
Week 16 — Home
S³ Schedule Notes
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The Ravens open the season at Indianapolis before hosting the Saints in the home opener.
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A Week 3 trip to Rio de Janeiro to face the Cowboys highlights the NFL's International Series.
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The bye falls in Week 13, providing a late-season reset before the AFC North stretch run.
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Four prime-time games include a Sunday Night Football trip to Atlanta and a Thursday night home clash with Jacksonville.
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The season closes with two consecutive AFC North games — at Cincinnati on Thursday night, then home against Pittsburgh.
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Back-to-back road games at the Bills and Jaguars in Weeks 8–9 will test the Ravens' depth.
A schedule featuring a Rio de Janeiro international game, four prime-time appearances, and a closing stretch of back-to-back AFC North showdowns.
© 2026 Sweet Science Sports (S³). All Rights Reserved.
The Sweet Science Sports S³BR Football System — including O/R²T, D/R²T, ORt₹, DRt₹, Offensive Standards (OS), Defensive Standards (DS), Responsibility Ratings, S³ Performance Standards, terminology, symbols, notation, scoring methodology, weighting systems, proprietary formulas, algorithms, calculations, evaluation framework, visual presentation, and written documentation — are the original intellectual property of Randy Woodall and Sweet Science Sports (S³).
No portion of this system may be reproduced, reverse-engineered, modified, distributed, published, or used commercially without prior written permission.
Version: S³BR Football System v1.0 • Created: July 2026 • Author: Randy Woodall • Organization: Sweet Science Sports (S³)