The combination of four trips out west (including two back-to-back), an opening stretch of five road games in the first seven weeks and a total of five games against teams with losing records make this the toughest schedule in coach John Harbaugh’s eight seasons. This isn’t a playoff team right now, but the Baltimore Ravens do their best work at this time of the offseason. How the Ravens address the losses of wide receiver Torrey Smith, pass rusher Pernell McPhee and tight end Owen Daniels in the draft will determine if Baltimore can capture its first AFC North title since 2012.

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 13, at Denver, 4:25 p.m.

The reunion with former offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak takes a back seat to the rematch with Peyton Manning. The last time the Ravens opened the season in the Mile High City was 2013, when Manning humbled the defending Super Bowl champions by tying an NFL record with seven touchdown passes. This isn’t the time to play Manning, who has won a league-best 75 percent of his games in September since 2007 (18-6 record). Broncos 27, Ravens 17. Record: 0-1.

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 20, at Oakland, 4:05 p.m.

Making a second consecutive journey out west presents a challenge. Luckily for the Ravens, it's a trip to the Black Hole, which has turned into a friendly place for visitors. Oakland has the fourth-worst home record in the NFL over the last three seasons (9-15), a problem that new coach Jack Del Rio has to fix. Ravens 20, Raiders 16. Record: 1-1.

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 27, vs. Cincinnati, 1 p.m.

The Ravens play their home opener after playing AFC West teams for the first two weeks, and they'll be geared up for another shot (or two) on Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton, who is 1-3 in his career in Baltimore. The Ravens have sacked Dalton 11 times at home and recorded seven interceptions, limiting him to a 67.6 passer rating and making him resemble a Browns quarterback. Ravens 30, Bengals 23. Record: 2-1.

Week 4: Thursday, Oct. 1, at Pittsburgh, 8:25 p.m.

If the schedule makers didn't make it rough enough early, the Ravens face the Steelers in the first game that running back Le'Veon Bell is eligible to play following a three-game suspension. In Bell's four meetings with the Ravens, his total yards have been: 99, 136, 107 and 58. The Ravens have never won a Thursday night game on the road (0-3 record). Steelers 23, Ravens 16. Record: 2-2.

Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 11, vs. Cleveland, 1 p.m.

The quarterbacks change in Cleveland, but the Browns' luck never does in Baltimore. Under Harbaugh, the Ravens are 7-0 against the Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. It's a struggle for Cleveland to put up double-digit points, much less win the game. The Browns have averaged 10.8 points in Baltimore since their last win in 2007. Ravens 28, Browns 10. Record: 3-2.

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 18, at San Francisco, 4:25 p.m.

There won't be a Harbaugh family reunion this time, and the 49ers are in transition. It's been a retirement party since Jim Harbaugh left as coach. There will be some sentiment in this game because this will be Baltimore's first game against its Super Bowl receivers, Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith. But Colin Kaepernick still has to get them the ball. Ravens 26, 49ers 20. Record: 4-2.

Week 7: Monday, Oct. 26 at Arizona, 8:30 p.m.

This is where the Ravens' frequent flier miles will start to take their toll. Carson Palmer has always played the Ravens tough since his days with the Bengals. No quarterback has beaten Baltimore more than Palmer (nine wins) since 2003. Cardinals 21, Ravens 10. Record: 4-3.

Week 8: Sunday, Nov. 1, vs. San Diego, 1 p.m.

The Ravens are hoping the Chargers trade Philip Rivers. He beat the Ravens on their home turf last season with a touchdown pass with 38 seconds remaining, and his 101.8 passer rating against the Ravens ranks third behind Kurt Warner (137.5) and Peyton Manning (120.1). Chargers 31, Ravens 28. Record: 4-4.

Week 9: Bye

Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 15, vs. Jacksonville, 1 p.m.

The Jaguars pulled out all of their tricks last season -- an onside kick and a fake punt -- just to keep close with the Ravens. Unless Bill Belichick can give the Jaguars some loopholes in the rulebook, this shouldn't be close. The Ravens have won six in a row over Jacksonville in Baltimore, and they're coming off the bye. Ravens 38, Jaguars 16. Record: 5-4.

Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 22, vs. St. Louis, 1 p.m.

The Rams are an underrated team, and you can never count out a Jeff Fisher-coached group. But new quarterback Nick Foles won't look like the Nick Foles from Philadelphia, where he had LeSean McCoy and Jeremy Maclin around him. In St. Louis, Foles is surrounded by the NFL's 28th-ranked offense. Ravens 16, Rams 6. Record: 6-4.

Week 12: Monday, No. 30, at Cleveland, 8:30 p.m.

By this time in the season, will it be Josh McCown quarterbacking the Browns? Johnny Manziel? Spergon Wynn? The Ravens continue their late November roll. Ravens 24, Browns 13. Record: 7-4.

Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 6, at Miami, 1 p.m.

The Ravens have won as much as the Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. The problem this time is the Ravens are going on the road after a Monday night game against a division team. That's the scheduling equivalent of a Ndamukong Suh stomp to the head. Dolphins 22, Ravens 17. Record: 7-5.

Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 13, vs. Seattle, 8:30 p.m.

If facing Marshawn Lynch and the Legion of Boom wasn’t daunting enough, the Seahawks have won their last seven trips to the East Coast dating back to 2012. The Seahawks are one of the few teams who won't be intimidated by the noise at M&T Bank Stadium. Seahawks 16, Ravens 13. Record: 7-6.

Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 20, vs. Kansas City, 1 p.m.

The Chiefs rely on Jamaal Charles to win games, and the Ravens have done a remarkably good job at quieting him and/or knocking him out of games. Charles has only averaged 4.2 yards per carry in his career against Baltimore with more fumbles (one) than touchdowns (none). Ravens 24, Chiefs 20. Record: 8-6.

Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 27, vs. Pittsburgh, 8:30 p.m.

The Ravens haven’t lost to Ben Roethlisberger at home since 2010. The Baltimore defense often uses Big Ben as a piñata, breaking his nose and delivering hits (like the Courtney Upshaw one last year) that flatten him to the M&T Bank Stadium turf. The rivalry should come with a parental advisory. Ravens 19, Steelers 17. Record: 9-6.

Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 3, at Cincinnati, 1 p.m.

The Ravens have lost more games at Paul Brown Stadium than anywhere else in the seven-year Harbaugh era. How is that possible? Joe Flacco seems to turn into Kyle Boller along this part of the Ohio River, throwing five touchdowns and 11 interceptions in seven games in Cincinnati. Bengals 23, Ravens 13. Record: 9-7.