Game (two week) thread - Ravens at Bills SNF

[chris heff]

Where are the Ravens suspect? OL maybe? Jackson and Henry can make up for that. Didn’t they try and revamp pass rush?

[TheWei44]

Let's just say I was surprised how durable Jackson and Henry were last year given all the running they did (and Henry's age) - I won't type it explicitly but I think you guys get the idea.  And I would never wish injuries on anyone.  But it's a long season.

[FLFan]

19 hours ago, Dablitzkrieg said:

Ravens will score 40 on this defense 

Well that did not take long.  

[Gregg]

The real shame in this game is we all have to listen to Collingsworth for 3 plus hours. He will probably spend most of it drooling over Allen and Jackson.

[RiotAct]

1 hour ago, Gregg said:

The real shame in this game is we all have to listen to Collingsworth for 3 plus hours. He will probably spend most of it drooling over Mahomes and Jackson.

fixed it for ya

[Scott7975]

22 hours ago, ChronicAndKnuckles said:

Unlike most, I am super happy we play them in week 1. I’ve stated before that I think the Ravens have the most talented team in the NFL when you break their entire roster down. Week 1 is the perfect opportunity to steal a W. The home crowd will be a huge advantage as the first home game is always rowdy. 
 

I am extremely nervous about this secondary. I have no idea who will start opposite Benford, but I am not feeling Tre White or Dane Jackson. I would probably be happier w/ Jamarcus Ingram. Safety is by far the weakest position group which sucks as McDermott’s scheme is heavily dependent on them. 
 

We are going to need a big day from the offense. Thankfully, we have other options besides Allen putting on his cape. James Cook will silence a lot of critics if he can go out there and show why he makes the big bucks. 
 

I am not worried about our receivers as most. Allen made it work year after year after year. I don’t think this one will be any different. What I would like to see is Josh Palmer making plays. I hated that acquisition, but I would much rather be wrong.

 

Unfortunately, the Ravens aren't the Bengals and usually play well week 1. This is probably the toughest game on our schedule IMO.

22 hours ago, mannc said:

Last year in week 1, the Ravens lost at home to the Raiders.

 

You mean the Chiefs. Raiders was 2021.

[Johnnycage46]

I think if our offense doesn't have a slow start like last year's opener, this is anyone's game. Defensively, if we can avoid 3 to 4 play TD drives (giving up big chunk plays) this will come down to the end. I like us at home. If it were in Baltimore, especially in primetime, I would say we lose. For now, I'm going with a Buffalo win.

[Scott7975]

20 hours ago, sven233 said:

I've said this in other threads since the schedule was announced and I will say it again here.  Week 1 is just an unpredictable wild card and no matter what happens in the game, it is not going to affect my outlook on the season at all (well, outside of any injuries that may happen).  Win by 40, lose by 40.....won't matter much in the end because these teams are likely on a collision course one way or another come January and both teams will be a lot different by then.

 

If I had a lean, I think I would have it on the Ravens only because, for whatever reason, sometimes it takes us a while to get going in Week 1. I mean we win our share of games in Week 1, but sometimes it is a struggle, even against worse teams.  Even last year we played a terrible first half before finally turning things up late against the Cardinals.  We won't probably have that luxury of a slow start against the Ravens because their defense is so good.  So, unless we come out cooking and keep the game within striking distance, I don't feel great about the game, especially with the questions we have in the secondary right now.

 

All that said, though, win, lose, blowout, etc.......I don't think it is going to set back either team drastically in the long run.  Obviously a loss hurts us in the race for home field, but we have 16 more to play catch up if needed.

I'll feel great if we win the game, but if we lose it, it's not going to get me down.  We aren't going to go undefeated.

[Fleezoid]

9 minutes ago, Scott7975 said:

I'll feel great if we win the game, but if we lose it, it's not going to get me down.  We aren't going to go undefeated.

 

This is kinda where I'm at. What is concerning is a loss may have huge implications with seeding at the end of the year. The margin is razor thin for the 1-seed and while there's plenty of football after week 1, you'd hate to be saying "if we only had that first game back!"

[dave mcbride]

17 minutes ago, Fleezoid said:

 

This is kinda where I'm at. What is concerning is a loss may have huge implications with seeding at the end of the year. The margin is razor thin for the 1-seed and while there's plenty of football after week 1, you'd hate to be saying "if we only had that first game back!"

Agreed, but I do think it’s a bad matchup for the Bills. The Ravens kinda dominated them in the playoff game and lost due to turnovers and an unbelievable drop, and they slaughtered them in the regular season. I certainly think the Bills can win, but if I had to pick a winner straight up, I feel like I’d be foolish not to lean toward Baltimore. Home field will help.

[billsfan89]

19 hours ago, Pete said:

Would you rather be rolling with Fred Smoot?  Its Joey Bosa, playing on the Bills.  Enjoy and be happy!

 

Fred Smoot has been retired for years? That being said the Bills got a big upgrade from 2024 Von to Bosa even if Bosa's lost half a step. I also think Hoecht coming in for Smoot is a big upgrade as well once his suspension is lifted and I would like to see what Solomon has in that role as well.

[henry jones]

Biggest concern is their defensive backfield vs our receiver group.  Even if Shakir is a go, they will be man to man all night long and can bring an extra backer and still have a spy on JA.  

[Pete]

1 minute ago, henry jones said:

Biggest concern is their defensive backfield vs our receiver group.  Even if Shakir is a go, they will be man to man all night long and can bring an extra backer and still have a spy on JA.  

I like bringing in Anderson, Keon and Shavers WR, Hawes at TE, and physically beat the Ravens, and dominate both sides of line of scrimmage

[Paul Costa]

7 minutes ago, henry jones said:

Biggest concern is their defensive backfield vs our receiver group.  Even if Shakir is a go, they will be man to man all night long and can bring an extra backer and still have a spy on JA.  

They have a slightly better than average back 7. CB2, Slot, & second LB all JAGS.

[zow2]

Dion was just on First Things First with Nick Wright, Brou and the other guy.  Good stuff. He always reps the Bills in a fun way when he’s on these national shows.

[WEATHER DOT COM]

Bills roll

[KOKBILLS]

1 hour ago, Pete said:

I like bringing in Anderson, Keon and Shavers WR, Hawes at TE, and physically beat the Ravens, and dominate both sides of line of scrimmage

 

Dominating the Ravens in the trenches would really be something to behold. 

[Mikie2times]

On 8/24/2025 at 3:20 AM, twoandfourteen said:

Hammer the Ravens at +1.5.

 

 

 

Easy decision for week 1. I won't bet against Buffalo in the playoffs, but just too many factors against us here.

 

Shakir health?

CB?

Revenge Angle

Zay Flowers will play

Poor week 1 starts 4 of the past 5 years

 

I understand why we are favorites here, but I don't think we should be. Later in the year that can change. This team will peak toward the end not the start. 

[pennstate10]

5 hours ago, billsfan89 said:

 

Fred Smoot has been retired for years? That being said the Bills got a big upgrade from 2024 Von to Bosa even if Bosa's lost half a step. I also think Hoecht coming in for Smoot is a big upgrade as well once his suspension is lifted and I would like to see what Solomon has in that role as well.

 

 

Fred Smoot has been a jabber on DC sports talk radio for about a decade. 

[BUFFALOBART]

35-21 (L)

Bills are 'outta practice'. 😐 Watch out for cheap shots, on Josh.