At long last, the Ravens launch a 2025 season with sky-high expectations in the same place where last season was grounded.
The Ravens travel back to Buffalo for a Week 1 showdown against one of the AFC's other favorites, led by reigning MVP Josh Allen.
Here's everything you need to know:
Basics
Kickoff: 8:20 p.m., Highmark Stadium
TV: Local TV: WBAL Ch. 11 (Baltimore), National TV: NBC; Announcers: Mike Tirico (play-by-play), Cris Collinsworth (analyst), Melissa Stark (sideline)
Radio: WBAL (1090 AM), 98Rock (97.9 FM), SiriusXM Radio Ch. 83 or 226. For affiliates in your area, click here.
History
The Ravens are motivated to get some revenge after last year's 27-25 loss in Buffalo in the divisional round of the playoffs. Baltimore feels it would have won that game had it not been for three turnovers (and zero takeaways). The Ravens are 12-5 in season-openers under Head Coach John Harbaugh. In four games in Buffalo, including the playoffs, the Ravens have one win (2019).
Stakes
Beyond wanting to get the taste of bad Buffalo wings out of their mouth, the Ravens see their Week 1 matchup as a good measuring stick for where they stack up in the competitive AFC. It would not be at all surprising to see the Ravens and Bills duking it out down the stretch for the top playoff seed and a first-round playoff bye, and Sunday's game could be a tiebreaker.
Storylines to Know
Lamar Jackson vs. Josh Allen is an MVP duel.
Jackson is a two-time MVP and arguably should have won a third last season. Instead, it went to Allen. Asked about that this week, Jackson simply said, "It is what it is." Jackson cares about winning above all else, but in order to do so, he'll have to outplay one of the NFL's other top quarterbacks. Jackson's Super Bowl vision is clear, but he's made it clear that his attention remains solely on beating the Bills.
Will the Ravens defense start stronger?
Baltimore's defense was gashed out of the gates last season. It's looking for a faster start this year with Zach Orr in his second season calling the shots. The Ravens defense held Allen to 307 passing yards in two meetings last season, but he hurt them with his legs in the playoffs. Can Baltimore's restocked secondary have similar success, and will the run defense be as strong as it was a year ago?
How will the rookies fare in their first action?
Baltimore has three rookies in starting positions and others in key roles. Safety Malaki Starks will be an integral part of cutting down on Allen's deep balls. Second-round pass rusher Mike Green gets a chance to show that he can translate a dominant preseason into the regular season. Kicker Tyler Loop will be under the bright lights in his first game. Even punt returner LaJohntay Wester will be in some big moments.
X-Factor Players
TE Mark Andrews
Andrews was forced to swallow a bitter pill at the end of last season following his fourth-quarter fumble and dropped two-point conversion in Buffalo. No player cares more about their craft than the ultra-competitive Andrews. While he has put that pain behind him, he'll also be very motivated to have a strong showing in his return to Buffalo and will be especially critical if Isaiah Likely (foot) is ruled out.
LB Roquan Smith
The Ravens had the league's No. 1-ranked run defense last year but did not defend the Bills' ground attack particularly well in their playoff loss. The Bills' James Cook is one of the league's top backs, and Smith needs to make sure he and Allen don't get loose.
RT Roger Rosengarten
Rosengarten threw a key block to spring Derrick Henry on an 87-yard touchdown run on the first play of last year's regular-season matchup. Now Rosengarten has a new player to contend with as the Bills added Joey Bosa, who is one of the league's best pass rushers when healthy.
