The NFL will break away from tradition by having the defending super bowl champions on the road in the league's opening matchup. The Ravens will open their title defense as the visiting team due to a scheduling conflict with the Orioles.

The Orioles are scheduled to host the Chicago White Sox on the same night as the NFL's Sept. 5 kickoff. The Ravens and Orioles have adjacent stadiums and share a parking lot, so they avoid playing at the same time because of the traffic.

"After thorough discussions among the Orioles, the NFL and the Ravens, 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," Ravens president Dick Cass said in a statement. "The Ravens greatly appreciate the willingness of the Orioles to adjust the start of their game in an effort to make this sports spectacular happen.

The Orioles say both teams and the leagues looked to moving the starting time of their game, but failed due to logistics. The NFL says it is looking at ways to hold a Super Bowl celebration in Baltimore while the Ravens open on the road.