Both Super Bowl contenders are back this season, looking to wash away the stench of playoff disappointment yet again. And what better way to run it back to start the season?
Not only is the Bills-Ravens matchup the game of the week, but we could potentially be watching both teams face off again in the AFC Championship game between the two Super Bowl favourites (+650).
After giving fans a thriller in the Buffalo cold in the playoffs last season, let's take a look at how both teams stack up heading into Sunday night.
Buffalo Bills (+1.5)
Despite being the home team and analytics slightly leaning towards them winning, the Bills aren't the favourites in this Week 1 showdown. However, Buffalo has won each season opener at home the past three seasons - Baltimore has gone 1-2 in road openers in the same span.
Their offensive unit is rolling over from last season with the same starters on the offensive line, in the backfield, and at tight ends. The only offensive switch-up is that five-year veteran wide receiver Joshua Palmer, who came over from the Los Angeles Chargers, will be the third receiver behind Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman on the depth chart, replacing Mack Hollins.
Buffalo's offence ranked 10th overall last year and second in scoring. With reigning MVP quarterback Josh Allen at the helm, it's expected that the results from last year will carry over into the new season.
As for their defensive starters, it's more or less the same. Newly signed defensive end Joey Bosa gets the starting nod over A.J. Epenesa. Cole Bishop became the new starting strong safety over Damar Hamlin - now the backup - and long-time veteran Tre’Davious White replaced Rasul Douglas as a starting cornerback.
Their defensive unit ranked 17th last season - one that gave up over 400 total yards of offence to the Ravens in their playoff matchup. Buffalo has also given up at least 20 points to the Ravens in each of their last three meetings.
The keys to the Bills beating the Ravens on Sunday night are, one, to minimize Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson as much as humanly possible. Easier said than done, but the Bills' defence knows, even in Week 1, this is going to be their toughest battle of the season. They won't be able to stop the two; it's just a matter of containing them.
Second, their linebackers need to be Ravens linemen to close gaps on runs and not let Henry see a single inch of space to take advantage of. Buffalo needs to put the pressure of the Ravens' guards in Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele and attack inside. Sending linebackers on the rush mixed in with corner blitzes could prove to be crucial when called at the right moment. Otherwise, Jackson will sniff it out a mile away.
Again, these aren't recipes for guaranteed success against a Ravens offence that was the best in football last season. They averaged 425 yards per game - only one other team averaged over 400 (Detroit Lions - 409). It's just a matter of getting one or two stops to give Allen and the offence more chances.
Baltimore Ravens
The number one offence in all of football got better. Bringing in veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins as a safety blanket to complement starting receivers Rashod Bateman and Zay Flowers only makes this offence that much more dangerous.
However, with tight end Isaiah Likely being listed as doubtful for the game, it'll be interesting to see how the Ravens adjust and whether they rely more on Mark Andrews or they'll spread the ball around to their receivers. Either way, Baltimore is going to drive up and down the field and score points - whether in the form of touchdowns or field goals.
The Ravens' offensive unit, much like Buffalo's, is all but the same - and that spells trouble for Buffalo's defence. After coming off a season in which some say is the greatest ever by a quarterback, Jackson came out and said that he feels like he hasn't even reached his peak yet.
Meanwhile, the Ravens' defensive unit is all the same but one - rookie Malaki Starks lining up at safety next to All-Pro Kyle Hamilton. The same rookie that Hamilton said is "way ahead of him" from when he was a rookie himself. Some experts are even projecting the two to become the best safety duo in all of football.
Well, with Allen's ability to beat defenders on the deep ball, those two are going to need to be all over the field come Sunday night - and that's where the problem may lie.
Baltimore's pass defence was the second-worst in all of football last season. The team made sure to figure it out by drafting Starks and bringing in veteran All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander to be the third CB on the depth chart now that Nate Wiggins has moved up to the starting position in place of Brandon Stephens, now on the New York Jets.
As for the pass rush, Baltimore also signed the college football sack leader from last season in Mike Green, who could possibly make a statement even in this week one matchup against the Bills.
The keys to the Ravens beating the Bills on Sunday night include, first and foremost, keeping the ball on the ground and not abandoning the run. As great as the Ravens' offence and offensive coordinator Todd Monken are, they tend to become way too pass-happy once a single run play doesn't garner many yards. Don't ever abandon the run with Henry, Justice Hill, Keaton Mitchell, and Pat Ricard in the backfield.
Secondly, they need to pressure Allen quickly and early. Set the tempo with five-six man blitz packages and don't ever drop back into a conservative zone defense. They have All-Pros in the secondary and young guys that are fast, physical, and hungry. Trust them to do their job and get after Allen immediately - I'm talking the very first play of their offensive drive.
The run defence was the best in all of football last season - that'll be handled on its own. They gave up just 80 yards per game while no other team gave up fewer than 90. And with practically the same front seven, Baltimore shouldn't let James Cook be the beast on the Bills' offence that throws them off.
Lastly, hold on to the ball. The Ravens are their own greatest enemy every single season and it showed during the playoff game. Had they simply held on to the ball, who knows how history would've gone last season. Watch the false starts and don't commit stupid turnovers.
Bills vs. Ravens preview round-up
Overall, no matter who wins, this is going to be another fantastic game between two well-coached teams with a bunch of All-Pros. The NFL nailed it scheduling these two as the first Sunday night game of the year.
The over-under for the game is set at 50.5 (as of now) - so even Vegas knows a lot of points will be scored in this game. The weather in Buffalo will hit a low of 48 degrees (around 9C) on Sunday with 10 to 15 miles per hour winds, partly cloudy skies, and only a seven percent chance of rain. So odds are it'll be a great night for some football.
The game between the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills on September 7th will be available to watch on NBC, Peacock, NFL+, and Fubo TV.