You're probably waking up, grabbing your coffee, and checking the spread for the Baltimore game. It is Thursday, January 15, 2026. Usually, this is peak football season. You expect to see Lamar Jackson dancing around defenders or the defense stifling some poor AFC North rival.
But if you’re looking for who Ravens play today, the answer is actually no one.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a gut punch for the Flock. The Ravens aren't playing today because their 2025-2026 season ended a couple of weeks ago. They finished 8-9. They missed the playoffs. And in a move that absolutely rocked the city of Baltimore, the team parted ways with long-time head coach John Harbaugh on January 6th.
So, while the rest of the league is gearing up for the Divisional Round this weekend, the Ravens are currently in "search mode" for a new identity.
The NFL Playoff Picture Without Baltimore
It feels weird, right? Watching the playoffs without the purple and black. Today is Thursday, and typically that means Thursday Night Football, but the NFL doesn't do TNF during the postseason. The schedule-makers want those high-stakes games on the weekend.
Even though there isn't a Ravens game today, the "NFL games today" list is actually empty for everyone. The league is holding its breath until Saturday.
👉 See also: LeBron James and Kobe Bryant: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
What the Postseason Looks Like Right Now
If you’re a football junkie and just need a fix, here is what’s actually happening in the world of the NFL since the Ravens are sitting this one out:
- Saturday, January 17: The Buffalo Bills (who just knocked out the Jaguars) travel to face the Denver Broncos at 4:30 PM ET. Later that night, the 49ers and Seahawks settle their NFC West grudge match at 8:00 PM ET.
- Sunday, January 18: The Houston Texans take on the New England Patriots. Yeah, you read that right—the Patriots are back in the Divisional Round. That’s at 3:00 PM ET. To close it out, the Rams play the Bears at 6:30 PM ET.
It’s a weird mix of teams. No Chiefs. No Ravens. The AFC is wide open, and Baltimore fans are left wondering "what if."
Why Who Ravens Play Today is a Question for the Future
Since the Ravens didn't make the cut this year, the focus has shifted entirely to the 2026 season. The front office isn't just sitting around. Eric DeCosta is basically living in his office right now.
The big news isn't a game—it's the vacancy at head coach. For the first time since 2007, the Ravens are looking for a new leader. There are rumors flying everywhere. Some say they want a young offensive mind to maximize Lamar’s remaining prime years. Others think they’ll stick to the "Ravens Way" and hire a defensive powerhouse.
The 2026 Opponents Are Already Set
Even though we don't have dates yet, we do know which teams will be coming to M&T Bank Stadium next season. The NFL rotates these things like clockwork.
✨ Don't miss: Lawrence County High School Football: Why Friday Nights in Louisa Still Hit Different
Home Games at M&T Bank Stadium:
The usual suspects are there: the Bengals, Browns, and Steelers. But we’re also getting the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, and the Los Angeles Chargers.
Road Trips for the Flock:
The away schedule is pretty brutal. The Ravens have to travel to Buffalo to see the Bills and down to Dallas to face the Cowboys. They’ve also got dates in Houston, Indy, Atlanta, and Charlotte.
The Lamar Jackson Factor
You can’t talk about who Ravens play today or any other day without talking about No. 8. Lamar Jackson is the sun that this entire solar system orbits around.
Last season was... complicated. Lamar played 13 games. He took a lot of hits—the ninth-most sacks in the league, actually. That’s not sustainable. The offensive line struggled with consistency, and while the run game was still top-tier (averaging nearly 188 yards a game), the passing attack felt out of sync when it mattered most.
There’s also the contract situation. Lamar’s cap number is set to explode to $74.5 million in 2026. That is a massive chunk of change. DeCosta has mentioned that a contract extension is the priority because it would actually lower that cap hit for the upcoming year, giving the team room to sign free agents.
🔗 Read more: LA Rams Home Game Schedule: What Most People Get Wrong
Basically, if they don't fix the contract, they can't fix the roster.
How to Stay Occupied as a Ravens Fan Right Now
It’s a long wait until the season starts again. If you’re bored because there’s no game, here is what you should actually be watching:
- The Coaching Search: Keep an eye on the flight trackers at BWI. The next couple of weeks will define the next decade of Ravens football.
- The NFL Draft (April): The Ravens are picking 14th overall. That’s high for them. They need a guard. They probably need another pass rusher.
- Free Agency: Will they bring back Tyler Linderbaum? He’s a Pro Bowl center and a free agent. Letting him walk would be a disaster for the O-line.
The "Ravens play today" search might come up empty for now, but the drama behind the scenes is just getting started. It’s a transition year. It’s messy. But honestly, that’s usually when this team finds its spark again.
Actionable Next Steps for the Offseason:
- Check the official Ravens app every Tuesday morning; that's typically when they release "The Lounge" podcast episodes which give the most candid looks at the coaching search.
- Review the 2026 Salary Cap projections on OverTheCap to see how much "funny money" DeCosta can actually create through restructures.
- Keep an eye on the Divisional Round games this weekend—specifically the Bills vs. Broncos—to see how the top AFC contenders are building their rosters for the future.