In anticipation of the official schedule release date in mid-April, theRams.com will be taking an early look at each of the club's opponents for next season.
Baltimore Ravens
The Rams are set to host the Baltimore Ravens in one of the L.A. Coliseum's seven home games scheduled in 2019.
The Los Angeles meeting will mark just the seventh meeting between the two teams since the Ravens were conceived in 1996.
Here's an early look at the Ravens:
2018
The Ravens finished 10-6 atop the AFC North for the first time since the 2012 season and earned a spot in the postseason for the first time in four seasons in 2018.
Baltimore's dual quarterback situation gave way to a brand new starter in rookie signal-caller Lamar Jackson midway through the year. Jackson and veteran quarterback Joe Flacco combined for 10 wins to keep their club in the division's top spot, which resulted in a Wild Card date with the Chargers, which ended in a loss — the end of a transitional year for the franchise, short of the Divisional round.
Matchup History
The Ravens are 4-2 all-time and have won the last three against the Rams. Outside of the 2018 preseason, the two teams have not met in the McVay era.
Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
The biggest move out of Baltimore in the offseason so far was the decision to trade Flacco, who spent 11 seasons as a Raven and won Super Bowl XLVII. Flacco was swapped for the Broncos' fourth-round draft pick, with Jackson as the expected starter next season for the defending AFC North champs.
Away from the quarterback spot, the Ravens signed former Seahawks safety Earl Thomas and running back Mark Ingram, formerly of the Saints. Baltimore released now-Rams safety Eric Weddle, wide receiver Michael Crabtree, and running back Alex Collins as February turned to March.
Head Coach
The Ravens are led by head coach John Harbaugh, who's called the shots in Baltimore for 11 seasons in his first and only head coaching role in the NFL.
Harbaugh built his career in the college ranks for over a decade, spending time as position coaches at Western Michigan, Pittsburgh, and Morehead State, before landing a special teams coordinator gig with the Cincinnati Bearcats and Indiana Hoosiers before making the move to the pros as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles staff.
Harbaugh led the Ravens to a world title over the 49ers and his brother Jim Harbaugh in Super Bowl XLVII.
What to Watch For
Recently-signed Rams safety Eric Weddle will get a crack at his former team year one in L.A.
The Rams added Weddle to their secondary after the former All-Pro spent the previous three years of his career in Baltimore — each of which ended with Pro Bowl recognition. Weddle will now have the chance to disrupt Jackson's first-career start against the Rams and their experienced defensive unit.
