Bills, Ravens Face Off in NFL Week 1 Rematch

The Buffalo Bills will open the 2025 NFL season at home against the Baltimore Ravens in a highly anticipated Sunday Night Football rematch of their 2024 AFC Divisional Round playoff game, which the Bills won 27-25. This matchup features the last two NFL MVPs, Josh Allen of the Bills and Lamar Jackson of the Ravens, marking only the fifth time in NFL history that the last two MVPs face off in Week 1. Buffalo faces injury challenges with kicker Tyler Bass on Injured Reserve and cornerback Tre’Davious White doubtful, creating opportunities for rookies like Dorian Strong and Ja’Marcus Ingram to step up in the secondary. The Bills have bolstered their offense with additions like receiver Josh Palmer and will rely on strong defensive performances, particularly from cornerback Christian Benford, who is expected to shadow Baltimore's top receivers amid the absence of Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely. Strategic focuses include stopping the Ravens’ run game led by Derrick Henry and forcing Lamar Jackson into more passing attempts, while Buffalo aims to improve on past playoff offensive execution under coordinator Joe Brady. Both teams are considered Super Bowl contenders, making this season opener critical for playoff seeding and home-field advantage implications.