Sunday, September 7, 2025, 8:20 pm
Rich/Ralph/Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, N.Y.
Weather: Calm and crisp, low 50s
Latest line: Bills plus 1.5, over/under 50.5
No need to hype any Lamar Jackson/Josh Allen matchup. I wish the game that might well determine the #1 seed in the AFC would have come a little later in the season, but NBC is gleeful in anticipation of the ratings. Let’s figure out a winner.
QB: The last two NFL MVPs square off. My take is this. Both are phenomenal, both are starving for a Lombardi Trophy and all it means to a QB’s legacy. But I feel we have witnessed peak Lamar Jackson, not to say that he won’t maintain it. With Josh Allen, especially as a passer, the best is yet to come. He is incredibly improved as a short passer. Slight advantage Bills.
Run game weapons: With the image of last September’s 87 yard Derrick Henry TD romp seared in our brains, this category goes to Baltimore, right? Not so fast. No disrespect to a first ballot Hall of Famer, but the sum of the Bills backfield trio rises to that level. I expect more touches and a career year for James Cook. Ray Davis and Justice Hill are solid RB2s; Ty Johnson might be the best current 3rd down back in the NFL. Lamar and Josh are factors. The category is even.
Pass game Weapons: Maybe Flowers, Bateman, Hopkins, and Andrews would get a slight nod over Shakir, Coleman, Palmer, and Kincaid, but the depth beyond that and the RBs tip the scales to the Bills. James Cook’s career high in receiving yards is 445; I predict 600+ in 2025. That’s Thurman Thomas and Joe Cribbs territory. Slight advantage Bills.
Offensive Line: The Ravens return 4/5 of their 2024 unit, with LT Ronnie Stanley and C Tyler Linderbaum the featured performers. Everyone returns for Buffalo. Both are among the best lines in the league. An angle that gives the Bills a slight blocking advantage is the absence of the Ravens big fullback Patrick Ricard, and the presence of Bills rookie TE Jackson Hawes. Slight edge to Buffalo.
Run defense: No debate here. The Ravens were a historically good run defense in 2024. The Bills can scheme to contain Henry somewhat, but the advantage goes to Baltimore.
Pass defense: The Ravens were not good in this area for much of the 2024 season but came on in the playoffs with improved health and the development of rookie 1st round CB Nate Wiggins. Malachi Starks and Kyle Hamilton are a dream team at Safety. Who will start Sunday Night at CB2 for Buffalo? I think a few years ago McDermott would have started the veteran Ingram, but now he will gamble on the upside of rookie Dorian Strong. Advantage Ravens.
Special teams: I know more about Matt Prater than I do about Tyler Loup. Brad Robbins had a good preseason, but Jordan Stout is a proven top tier punter. Based on history, for this game I give the edge to the Ravens.
Coaching: Much like the QBs, Sean McDermott and John Harbaugh are elite but also starving for a Lombardi Trophy. For me, Joe Brady gives the Bills a slight advantage.
Intangibles: Much like the Chiefs, Ravens/Bills is a long-standing rivalry. Any “revenge” motivation exists on both sides. Health is roughly equal. Most important here is home field advantage at night in front of the best fan base on the planet. Advantage Bills.
The Forecast: Can Buffalo overcome the team that many say has the best roster in the NFL? Yes. A better version of Josh Allen and a ferocious home crowd lead the Bills to a narrow 27-24 win over the Ravens.
The pregame plan:
Food: Hoodie weather is Chili weather. Don’t forget cornbread!
Beer: Don’t wait until October to buy your favorite Oktoberfest brews; they have been on the shelves since mid-August. The choices are endless, but my favorite is Sierra-Nevada’s Festbier, an annual collaboration with a German Brewery. It’s carried by Tops Markets, Target, Kroger, and Meijer, or you can order it online through Instacart.
Music: There isn’t enough room for all the tributes to the music legends who have left us this offseason, but here are some heavyweights:
- Everyday People by Sly and the Family Stone… RIP Sly.
- Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys… sail on Brian Wilson.
- Layla by Derek and the Dominos…Bobby Whitlock was the keyboard player
- Crazy Train by Ozzie Osborne…”Crazy, but that’s how it goes”
Enjoy the ride Bills Mafia! One week at a time.
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Both coaches will try to own the line of scrimmage, trench warfare imminent. Cool night air, big guys dream. Ground/Pound with splash throws.