This one doesn’t need a lengthy introduction.

The Week 1 Sunday Night Football matchup features the last two MVPs, Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen, in a rematch of a memorable playoff game last January.

The stakes for Jackson, Allen and both of these teams are massive, as this game’s outcome could decide who has homefield advantage in the AFC playoffs.

There’s no need for any more throat-clearing on this one — let’s get right into tonight’s highly anticipated battle between the Ravens and Bills.

How To Watch Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo BillsKickoff: 8:20 p.m. EDTTV: NBCRavens vs. Bills Betting OddsDKFDbet365BAL spread-1.5 (-105)-1.5 (-108)-1 (-110)BUF spread+1.5 (-115)+1.5 (-112)+1 (-110)BAL ML-120-118-120BUF ML+100+100+100Total50.5 (o-115; u-105)50.5 (o-115; u-105)50.5 (o-110; u-110)How To Bet Ravens vs. BillsBaltimore Ravens Betting News, Outlook2024 record: 12-5 (4-2 AFC North)2025 win total (DK): 11.5 (over -125; under +105)AFC North odds (FD): -155

The Ravens return most of last year’s roster, and they also bring back all of John Harbaugh’s top assistants after losing most of the defensive coaching staff last offseason.

Baltimore should be even better in the secondary after picking up former Green Bay corner Jaire Alexander, and the front seven is largely unchanged, though Baltimore will miss nose tackle Michael Pierce, who retired this offseason.

Don’t be surprised if this is one of the best defenses in the league. Remember, after some early-season struggles in ’24, Baltimore was excellent down the stretch.

Barring injury to Lamar Jackson, the Ravens offense being a regular-season juggernaut is one of the safest bets in football. Derrick Henry supercharged the running game last year, and the Jackson + Henry combo should spearhead an elite rushing attack once again in ’25.

In third-year WR Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman, who is coming off a career season after finally staying healthy, Jackson has two solid targets on the perimeter, and he also has two dangerous pass-catching tight ends in Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely.

The question for Baltimore is not about whether it can (or will) roll through the regular season — it’s about how it will fare in January.

Buffalo Bills Betting News, Outlook2024 record: 13-4 (5-1 AFC East)2025 win total (DK): 12.5 (over +125; under -150)AFC East odds (FD): -280

I can’t quite copy and paste what I just wrote about Baltimore to describe Buffalo’s outlook, but the gist is the same.

Outside of the quarterback position, Buffalo’s roster is less loaded than Baltimore’s. But thanks to reigning MVP Josh Allen, the Bills have one of the highest floors — and one of the highest ceilings — of any team in the league.

Allen led Buffalo to a 13-4 finish a year despite modest production from his receivers. At this point, the Bills O-line has developed into of the league’s best, and Allen is so dominant as both a passer and a runner that this offense is almost impossible to stop, even on quiet nights by Khalil Shakir and the Buffalo receivers.

The Buffalo defense boasts an underrated D-line that picked up veterans Larry Ogunjobi and Joey Bosa this offseason, who join a solid unit anchored by Ed Oliver.

At linebacker, Buffalo could take a step forward if Matt Milano is healthy. With Milano limited to four games in ’24, this unit struggled.

The Bills’ secondary should be solid, especially if cornerback Taron Johnson can stay healthy after missing time a year ago.

Ravens vs. Bills Prediction, Best Bets

It’s hard to deny that the Ravens have the better overall roster, but I don’t like the idea of betting on Buffalo to lose at home, regardless of the opponent.

This game strikes me as a stay-away that will come down to who has the ball last.

I really won’t be surprised if this backfires — especially considering Buffalo’s undefeated record in home games last year — but give me Baltimore to find a way to avoid starting the season with a loss in the same venue where its 2024 season ended in heartbreaking fashion.

Best bet:

Ravens -1.5 (-105 at DraftKings) — 1 unit

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