So, you're staring at your phone, checking the weather, maybe grabbing a coffee, and it hits you. You forgot to check what time is the ravens game. It happens to the best of us. Lamar Jackson is probably already warming up those legs, and you’re still trying to figure out if you have time to run to the grocery store for more wings before kickoff.
Football timing is a weird beast. You’d think it would be simple, but then you’ve got flex scheduling, international games in London or Germany that start while you're still asleep, and those Thursday night matchups that sneak up on you. If you’re a Ravens fan, you know the drill. The schedule is a moving target.
The Current Ravens Schedule and Kickoff Times
Right now, the Baltimore Ravens are in the thick of it. Depending on where we are in the season, that kickoff time fluctuates wildly. Most of the time, you’re looking at a standard 1:00 PM ET start. That’s the bread and butter of the AFC North. It’s early enough to get the game over with so you can eat dinner in peace, but late enough that you aren't rushing your Sunday morning.
But wait.
The NFL loves the Ravens. Why wouldn't they? Between Lamar’s highlight reel runs and a defense that usually hits like a freight train, they are primetime darlings. This means you have to keep an eye out for those 4:25 PM ET "Game of the Week" slots on CBS or FOX. And don't even get me started on Monday Night Football or Sunday Night Football. If the Ravens are playing a high-stakes divisional game against the Bengals or the Steelers, you’re looking at an 8:15 PM ET or 8:20 PM ET start. Those are the ones that ruin your Monday morning productivity.
Honestly, the best way to be certain about what time is the ravens game today is to look at the official NFL broadcast map or the Ravens' own digital calendar. Networks like CBS and ESPN hold the keys here. If it's an away game on the West Coast, like a trip to play the Chargers or the Rams, you can almost guarantee a late afternoon or evening window.
Why the NFL Changes Game Times on Short Notice
Flex scheduling is basically the NFL's way of making sure they don't have a "dud" game in the primetime slot. It’s annoying for fans who bought tickets and booked hotels, but it’s great for TV ratings. Usually, the league can "flex" a game starting around Week 5, but the real chaos happens later in the season.
Imagine it’s Week 14. The Ravens were supposed to play at 1:00 PM, but both they and their opponent are sitting at the top of the standings. The NFL can slide that game into the Sunday Night slot on NBC with just a couple of weeks' notice. This is why you can't just trust a printout of the schedule you made in August. It’s a living document. It breathes. It changes.
The Impact of International Games
We have to talk about the international series. The Ravens have crossed the pond before, and when they do, your whole Sunday routine gets flipped upside down. When Baltimore plays in London, kickoff is often around 9:30 AM ET.
That means you’re watching football with breakfast. It’s a vibe, sure, but if you wake up at noon expecting the game to be starting, you’re going to find yourself watching the fourth-quarter highlights instead of the live action. Always check if the game is at M&T Bank Stadium or if they're playing at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium or even Allianz Arena.
Broadcast Channels: Where to Find the Ravens
Finding the time is only half the battle; you also need to know where to turn the dial. Or, more accurately, which app to open.
🔗 Read more: What Song Did Katie Taylor Walk Out To: The Spiritual Stories Behind Those Iconic Ring Walks
- CBS: This is the home of the AFC. Most 1:00 PM and 4:25 PM games live here.
- ESPN/ABC: For those loud, high-energy Monday Night Football appearances.
- NBC: The destination for Sunday Night Football.
- Amazon Prime Video: The exclusive home for Thursday Night Football. If the Ravens are playing on Thursday, don't bother looking for it on cable unless you're in the local Baltimore market.
- NFL+: A solid backup if you're on the move and need to watch on a tablet or phone.
If you are out of market—meaning you don't live in the Baltimore/Maryland area—you might be at the mercy of the "local" game rules. This is where YouTube TV's NFL Sunday Ticket comes into play. Without it, if you’re living in, say, Dallas, and the Ravens are playing at the same time as the Cowboys, you’re probably not getting the Ravens game on your local CBS affiliate.
Pre-Game and Post-Game: Adding to the Clock
When you ask what time is the ravens game, are you asking about the literal kickoff, or do you want the full experience?
The "Purple" pre-game shows usually start an hour or two before the actual whistle blows. If you’re heading to the stadium, the lots open way earlier. Tailgating is a religion in Baltimore. If the game is at 1:00 PM, the parking lots are humming by 8:00 or 9:00 AM. If you aren't there by 10:00 AM, you've missed the best part of the party.
The game itself typically lasts about three hours and fifteen minutes. Give or take. If it goes into overtime, add another twenty minutes of high-stress adrenaline. If you're planning a post-game dinner, don't make reservations for 4:00 PM for a 1:00 PM game. You won't make it. The traffic leaving downtown Baltimore near the harbor is a legendary nightmare.
Common Misconceptions About Kickoff Times
One thing that trips people up is the difference between "coverage begins" and "kickoff."
TV guides are notorious for this. They’ll say the game starts at 1:00 PM, but the actual ball doesn't hit the tee until 1:02 PM or 1:05 PM after the national anthem and the coin toss. It’s a small difference, but if you’re a degenerate who needs to see every single second, it matters.
Also, don't trust the time on a betting app as the absolute gospel for your social planning. They are usually accurate, but they don't always account for localized delays or pre-game ceremonies that might push things back a few minutes.
Strategies for Never Missing Kickoff
It’s easy to get distracted. You’re mowing the lawn, or you’re at your kid’s soccer game.
- Sync your calendar. The Ravens' official website usually has a "Sync to Calendar" button. Do it. It updates automatically if the NFL flexes the game time.
- Use Google Alerts. Set a notification for "Baltimore Ravens game time."
- The 15-Minute Rule. Always aim to be in front of the TV 15 minutes before the stated time. This gives you a buffer to fix the Wi-Fi, update your fantasy lineup, and find the remote that the dog hid under the couch.
- Twitter (X) is your friend. Follow beat reporters like Jeff Zrebiec. If there is a weather delay or a bus issue, they will post about it long before the network announcers say a word.
Logistics for the In-Person Fan
If you are actually going to the game, the time on the ticket is just a suggestion for when you should be in your seat. Baltimore traffic is brutal. Between the construction on I-95 and the gridlock near Camden Yards, you need to bake in an extra hour.
Walking into M&T Bank Stadium is an experience. You want to see the players run out of the tunnel through the smoke. You want to hear the "REEEEEED" chant during the anthem. To do that for a 1:00 PM game, you need to be through the security gates by 12:30 PM at the latest.
Actionable Steps for the Next Ravens Game
Don't let the clock catch you off guard. Football season moves fast. One minute it's the season opener in September, and the next you're looking at playoff seeding in January.
- Check the official Ravens app every Tuesday. This is when the most accurate updates for the upcoming week are finalized.
- Verify the time zone. If you’re traveling, remember that "1:00 PM" in Baltimore is "10:00 AM" in Los Angeles.
- Set a "Leave House" alarm. If you're heading to a sports bar or a friend's house, set an alarm for 45 minutes before kickoff so you aren't "that person" who walks in during the second quarter.
- Download the network apps. If you have a cable login, have the CBS Sports or FOX Sports app ready on your phone just in case you get stuck in line somewhere.
Knowing what time is the ravens game is the bare minimum for a fan. Being ready for it, with your jersey on and the snacks prepped, is what makes you a pro. Keep your eyes on the schedule, stay flexible for those primetime changes, and always, always double-check the time on Saturday night. There is nothing worse than realizing you missed a Lamar Jackson rushing touchdown because you thought the game started at 4:00 instead of 1:00.
Stay ready. Go Ravens.