The Ravens aren't pretending they don't remember last season's 27-25 playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills. It's a new season, but the memory remains painful.
The Ravens returned to the practice field on Monday to prepare for their rematch against the Bills on "Sunday Night Football." Two of the NFL's most talented teams will face each other again in one of Week 1's marquee matchups.
For the Ravens, it's a chance to start the 2025 campaign the right way against the team that closed them out in 2024.
"That team sent us home out of the playoffs, so I don't think it's just going into a normal game per se," Pro Bowl left tackle Ronnie Stanley said. "We were very unhappy with the result last time we were there. A lot of us will give anything to leave there with a dub."
Baltimore had issues on both sides of the football against Buffalo during their playoff matchup, committing three turnovers and surrendering 147 yards rushing. Defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike was asked if he had watched film of that game.
"Yes, I have," Madubuike said. "It's not a good feeling. There's things that we did good, things that we did bad, but the bad overrides the good. We really want to tighten the bolts on that.
"It will be great motivation. That's the last game we played. To go back there and play the same team that we lost to that we believe we should've won, self-inflicted mistakes. Everybody's pumped up. You want to get that bad taste out of your mouth."
Mark Andrews Is a 'True Warrior'
The way last year's playoff loss ended was particularly brutal for tight end Mark Andrews after he committed a costly fourth-quarter fumble and dropped what would've been a game-tying two-point conversion in the final minutes.
Stanley, who has played with Andrews his entire NFL career, knows what to expect when Andrews goes back to Buffalo Sunday night.
"I know the type of competitor Mark is. He's not going to let one moment, one bad thing happen, set him back," Stanley said.
"He's a true warrior. He's going to push forward through those moments. I know he's excited to prove to himself and everyone else that he's still that guy."
Harbaugh Hopes to See Jaire Alexander Practice This Week
Cornerback Jaire Alexander hasn't practiced since Aug. 9, but he is ramping up his activity in hopes of playing in Buffalo.
Harbaugh said Alexander was moving around and "working today on physical stuff."
Asked what it would take for Alexander to play on Sunday, Harbaugh said him practicing this week.
"That would be the key," Harbaugh said. "So, we'll see where he's at Wednesday. He did some things today."
Harbaugh did not offer any details on the status of tight end Isaiah Likely (foot) or fullback Patrick Ricard, both of whom were not spotted at practice Monday.
Stanley Says Offensive Line Is 'Really Far Ahead'
The Ravens entered last season with three new starters. This year, the only "new" starter from last year's final offensive line is left guard Andrew Vorhees, who also started Week 1 last season.
Baltimore was also grieving the loss of Offensive Line Coach Joe D'Alessandris and adjusting to new coach George Warhop.
As the Ravens head back to Buffalo to kick off the 2025 regular season this Sunday, Stanley sees a stronger offensive line than the one that began last year.
"I think we've progressed a lot. Especially this time last year, we were dealing with a lot of issues, a lot of details," Stanley said. "Right now, we're not seeing those same issues. Understanding the playbook and executing, we're really far ahead from where we were last year. Now everything is more technical based and working on that."
