Buffalo Bills 2025 NFL season preview: Week 1 vs. Baltimore Ravens

The Buffalo Bills will open their 2025 NFL regular season on Sunday Night Football against the Baltimore Ravens, a rematch of the 2024 AFC Divisional Round playoff game. In that previous meeting, the Bills narrowly won 27-25 after Ravens tight end Mark Andrews dropped a potential game-tying two-point conversion late in the fourth quarter. The Bills relied heavily on their running game (147 yards) while quarterback Josh Allen had limited passing yards (127). This matchup features two elite quarterbacks: Lamar Jackson (2024 First-Team All-Pro) and Josh Allen (2024 NFL MVP).

Both teams have made roster adjustments since their January clash. The Bills added wide receivers Joshua Palmer and Elijah Moore in free agency to bolster their passing attack. The Ravens signed veteran wide receiver Deandre Hopkins. Ravens running back Justice Hill, who was effective against the Bills in the playoff game (50 yards on 6 carries, especially out of shotgun), is noted as a player to watch. Baltimore also strengthened its defense by adding cornerback Jaire Alexander and drafting safety Malaki Starks, but parted ways with kicker Justin Tucker following disturbing allegations.

The Ravens, led by Jackson and boosted by the arrival of running back Derrick Henry last season (who scored an 80-yard touchdown on his first touch against Buffalo), remain a formidable regular-season team. For the Bills, the return of linebacker Matt Milano (recovering from a torn pectoral) to Pro Bowl form and the role of cornerback Tre’Davious White (returning from a stint with Baltimore) are key defensive storylines. Buffalo aims to avoid a repeat of their poor performance in their last regular-season meeting with Baltimore, which was their worst game of 2024.

The Bills' offensive success hinges on new offensive coordinator Joe Brady effectively integrating the new wide receivers (Palmer, Moore) and utilizing second-year players Keon Coleman and Dalton Kincaid. Buffalo's defense must maintain better lane discipline and assignment focus to limit chunk plays, unlike the previous encounter where Derrick Henry's big run was impactful. While only Week 1, the outcome could significantly influence early MVP discussions (Allen vs. Jackson) and AFC playoff seeding.