Around the League

Presented By

Baltimore Ravens will open 2013 season on road

Published: Mar 22, 2013 at 08:24 AM

Chris Wesseling

Around The NFL Podcast Co-Host

A league source told the Baltimore Ravens official website early in the week that opening the 2013 NFL season on the road is the "least desirable" option in the team's Sept. 5 scheduling conflict with the Baltimore Orioles.

Hanzus: Ravens take another hit

Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard are the latest defenders to leave the Ravens. Dan Hanzus examines the team's defense. **More ...**

That undesirable option is now reality.

The Ravens announced Friday that they will open the 2013 season on the road in a Thursday night game.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell had raised the possibility of a Baltimore double-header for that day. While the Orioles were willing to compromise on their game time, the NFL and the Ravens ultimately decided that logistical issues would be a nightmare under the double-header scenario.

"After thorough discussions among the Orioles, the NFL and the Ravens," Ravens president Dick Cass explained in a statement, "it became clear that holding both an Orioles' game and the Ravens' regular-season opener on the same day would create logistical situations (that) would cause serious issues for the city of Baltimore, and fans for both teams."

Cass went on to cite anticipated problems with parking, rush-hour traffic, plus crowd and car congestion around Oriole Park at Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium.

NFL senior vice president of communications Greg Aiello released a statement expressing his disappointment for the fans in Baltimore. The NFL still is exploring other avenues for Baltimore fans to celebrate the 2013 NFL Kickoff Game, including a pre-game concert.

The Ravens are the first Super Bowl champion to open the season on the road since 2003 when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers visited Lincoln Financial Field to play the Philadelphia Eagles

The opponent for the Ravens' Week 1 game has yet to be determined. The NFL already has announced home and road opponents for this season, meaning the Ravens could open the season against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions or the Denver Broncos.

Follow Chris Wesseling on Twitter @ChrisWesseling

This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be missing content or contain faulty links. Please use the Contact Us link in our site footer to report an issue.

Related Content

news

Kenny Pickett undergoes ankle surgery; Steelers QB not expected to be placed on IR

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett will have surgery Monday on the injured ankle he suffered in Sunday's loss to the Cardinals. He is not expected to be placed on injured reserve

news

After contemplating retirement, RB LeSean McCoy looking for 'right road,' 'right fit'

Following some thoughts about retirement, LeSean McCoy's quest for the right situation on the right team continues two weeks ahead of clubs reporting for training camp.

news

Ben Roethlisberger 'happy' to adjust deal; expected back with Steelers after meeting with Art Rooney II

Ben Roethlisberger's agent Ryan Tollner told NFL Newtork's Aditi Kinkhabwala that the Steelers "want Ben back and will contact me soon to address his cap situation."

news

Sunday's NFL training camp injury and roster news

Another week of training camp is kicking off. The 2020 regular season is just around the corner, and NFL Network has you covered with wall-to-wall training camp coverage each day starting at 10 a.m. ET. Follow along here as we keep up with all the news, injuries and transactions of the day.

news

Carroll responds to Jets DC: 'We don't make as many mistakes as he does'

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll didn't let a day pass before responding to Jets DC Gregg Williams, who claimed Jamal Adams 'may get bored' in Seattle's defense.

news

Has Cardinals defense improved enough to aid high-profile offense?

Chandler Jones was one of the best talents in the NFL a season ago, but the Cardinals were still one of the worst defenses in the league? Will that change in 2020?

news

Will Ronald Jones, Buccaneers running game improve with Brady?

Can the presence of Tom Brady, a continued resurgence of Ronald Jones and the drafting of Ke'Shawn Vaughn add a rushing component long absent in Tampa?

news

On this day in 1969, a brand-new NFL took shape

It was on May 10, 1969 that the Baltimore Colts, Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to join the AFL to form the 13-team American Football Conference.

news

Can Patriots start, finish as winners sans Tom Brady?

The last two times the Patriots started a season without Tom Brady, they won Super Bowls. However, he returned to lead them there. What becomes of the Pats knowing he won't return?

news

D.K. Metcalf discusses Year 1 lessons in rookie webinar

Fresh off his breakout rookie campaign, Seahawks receiver D.K. Metcalf spoke to 547 players about social media, finances and meeting etiquette in NFL's first rookie webinar.

news

Kirk Cousins to Dak Prescott: Don't be afraid of tag

Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins knows a thing or two about the franchise tag -- and how it sometimes can be used for a quarterback's benefit. Could Dak Prescott learn from Cousins' past experience?

news

Derrick Brown, Panthers agree on 4-year, $23.6M deal

The Carolina Panthers have locked in their first-round pick Derrick Brown to a 4-year deal, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reports.