Who Will Take the Week One AFC Divisional Rematch?
The stage is set for the Buffalo Bills to host the Baltimore Ravens on September 7th at Highmark Stadium. Baltimore has an edge, leading the Bills in their all-time series 7-5, but the Bills won their only playoff meeting last season. Both teams bolstered their rosters this offseason, vying for another chance at the Lombardi trophy. With talent brimming on both sides, the opening day win is up for grabs.
According to expert analysts at Dimers, the Bills hold a slight edge, with a projected win percentage of 52% to 48%. However, other sites like FanSided have the Ravens taking the dub. Both teams' quarterbacks, Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen, are among the best, with Allen posting 3,700 passing yards and Jackson, 4,100. Both have plenty to prove, as they look to silence critics and cement their team as the true Super Bowl contender. The question is, who will come out on top?
This offseason, the Bills made many changes to strengthen their rather shaky defensive line. This included the key additions of Joey Bosa and Larry Ogunjobi. However, stopping Baltimore’s offense is not an easy task, especially with veteran quarterback Jackson at the wheel. Buffalo has also been beefing up their secondary, signing Dane Jackson and Dorian Strong, who both made strong impressions this preseason.
Many remain skeptical of Buffalo's chances in this matchup. Last year, they faced a brutal regular-season loss against the Ravens, 35-10. However, the defeat came with star defensive players Taylor Rapp and Taron Johnson, sidelined with injuries, both of whom are critical to the team's secondary. The game also took place in Baltimore, giving the Ravens a possible home team advantage.
Both the Bills and Ravens made it to the playoffs in 2024, the Bills entering postseason with a 13-4 record and the Ravens at 12-5. Both had a clash in an AFC Divisional showdown. The game came down to the wire, with a narrow win for Buffalo, 27-25. While the Bills in the end fell short of a Super Bowl appearance, this matchup proved that under pressure, both teams are among the AFC elite. It's hard to predict who will take this Week One win, but one thing is certain: this will be one intense game.
