The Baltimore Ravens just eight months ago traveled to Buffalo for the divisional round of the playoffs with the hopes of a return to the AFC championship. Instead, the Ravens left Buffalo in disappointment as their season was ended by the Bills. Now the two teams get set to open the 2025 season against each other on Sunday night, in the same venue that saw the Ravens turn the ball over three times in a devastating 27-25 loss.
The Ravens and Bills had two meetings with each other in 2024 with the Ravens taking the regular season matchup by a final of 35-10. Sunday night has all the story lines as the last two MVP’s in quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen get set to take on each other. How will Ravens tight end Mark Andrews respond after his crucial drop on the two-point conversion that cost the Ravens a chance to tie the Bills in the playoffs? How much of a difference will having wide receiver Zay Flowers make? As Flowers missed last year’s playoff game with a knee injury.
Within these story lines are also the injuries as the Ravens and Bills will both be without some key players in week on. For the Ravens they will be without tight end Isaiah Likely (foot) and fullback Patrick Ricard (calf). Likely suffered a fracture in his foot during training camp that required surgery, but the tight end is expected to return to the field in the next few weeks at the latest. As for Ricard he has not practiced since August 14th, and little has been said about the severity of the injury, and when Ricard is expected to return to the field.
As for the Bills kicker Tyler Bass (left hip/groin) has been ruled out as he has been placed on injured reserve. While cornerback Tre’Davious White (groin) is listed as doubtful. White spent the end of last season with the Ravens but returns to the Bills in 2025.
Players to Watch:
Mark Andrews
All eyes will be on Ravens tight end Mark Andrews on Sunday night as he gets set to return to the field where he had the most crucial mistake of his entire NFL career take place. Andrews has been the most reliable pass catcher the Ravens franchise has ever seen, but his drop on the Ravens two-point conversion to tie the game late. Not only ended the Ravens season but almost ended his tenure in Baltimore.
After the playoff game many Ravens fans called for Andrews to be release or traded, and many speculated over the offseason that the Ravens may look to trade the three-time Pro Bowler. But as the Ravens get set to take on the Bills, Andrews is still in Baltimore, and ready to put last season behind him as he aims to become the Ravens all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards. While helping the Ravens get over the hump in the playoffs.
Christian Benford
Fourth-year cornerback Christian Benford has slowly become one of the Bills best cornerbacks. The former sixth-round pick had his best season in 2024, without veteran Tre’Davious White in the mix. Benford finished the 2024 regular season with 64 total tackles, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions. In the Ravens-Bills playoff game Benford has five total tackles.
With no Tre’Davious White likely again on Sunday, the Bills will again lean on Benford to slow down a Ravens passing offense that put up a total of 410 passing yards in the two meetings last season.
Prediction
The Ravens have Super Bowl aspirations in 2025, and while a loss or win in week one doesn’t make or break the season. A win or loss could most certainly have playoff implications as both the Ravens and Bills have their sites on the AFC’s number one seed and home field advantage. It’s even more important for the Ravens to get off to a quick start to the regular season as they face the Lions and Chiefs in week three and four. So, a win on Sunday night could keep the Ravens from starting in a hole through the first month of the season.
The Ravens have been historically good under head coach John Harbaugh in season openers going 12-5 in week one games, and even more in big games in the regular season. The Bills lack the size up front or the secondary to keep the Ravens at bay like they did in the first half of last season’s playoff game. I expect the Ravens offense to play through the run game and control the tempo something they struggled with last January but thrived at when the defeated the Bills in their regular season meeting last year. Despite not having fullback Patrick Ricard, I think tight end Charlie Kolar will excel in that role as him and Andrews will be on the field a lot together in heavier personal.
The Ravens return nearly everyone both offensively and defensively and that comradery should go a long way with getting off to a quick start despite very few starters playing in the preseason like quarterback Lamar Jackson, running back Derrick Henry, and cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins. Bills quarterback Josh Allen did not throw a single touchdown against the Ravens last season in both meetings, and I expect that to be the case on Sunday night as well. I think it will be difficult sledding for the Bills offensively in the run game outside of Josh Allen, and the lack of weapons on the outside for the Bills will prove to be costly.
I think this Sunday night looks more like the regular season meeting last year between these two teams then when these two teams met just eight months ago. Ravens win 27-10.
Line: Baltimore -1.5
Over/Under: 50.5
All-Time Record: Baltimore leads series 7-4
Last Meeting: 9/29/24 Baltimore 35-10
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