Patriots, Steelers candidates for Ravens' 2013 opener

The Ravens could face the Steelers or Patriots in the 2013 NFL opener. (US Presswire)

We could know next month which team the Ravens will face in the 2013 opener.

The NFL traditionally opens the season with the Super Bowl champ playing at home on a Thursday. The announcement of the matchup typically comes in late March.

The Patriots and Steelers appear to be the strongest candidates to visit Baltimore on Thursday, Sept. 5. It's a marquee game, and either of those matchups would be a ratings bonanza.

The Pats and Ravens have played in the last two AFC Championship Games, and Pittsburgh-Baltimore is the league's most bitter and physical rivalry.

Baltimore's other road opponents are Houston, the Jets, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Green Bay and Minnesota.

Conceivably it could be any one of those eight, but only once since the tradition began in 2004 has the NFL opened with an intra-conference matchup. So probably scratch the Packers and Vikes. The Bengals, Browns and Jets don't offer much broad appeal.

That leaves New England, Pittsburgh and Houston. The Texans would be a good choice, too. They've gone 22-10 the last two seasons, winning a playoff game each time.

Last year's 24-17 Cowboys win over the Giants marked the first time the defending Super Bowl champ lost its opener since 1999.

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