Bills vs Ravens At a Glance
- Season Start: The 2025 NFL season kicks off with Week 1.
- Teams: Baltimore Ravens travel to face the Buffalo Bills.
- Game Location: Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, NY.
- Weather: Mild with a light breeze and light rain expected.
- Broadcast: Game airs on NBC at 8:20 PM.
- Betting Odds: Ravens are slight favorites with a -117 moneyline.
Buffalo Bills: A Powerful Offense Awaits
Buffalo Bills’ Offensive Strength
The Buffalo Bills ended the 2024 regular season with an impressive offensive showing, ranking 2nd in scoring with 525 points. Their passing game was equally strong, with 3,875 passing yards placing them 9th in the league. The rushing attack wasn’t far behind, amassing 2,230 yards, also ranked 9th.
Josh Allen spearheaded the offense, playing all 17 games and accumulating 3,731 passing yards, ranking him 14th league-wide but 1st on the team. He also led the team with 28 passing touchdowns, highlighting his crucial role in the Bills’ offensive success.
Defensive Capabilities of the Bills
Defensively, the Bills allowed 368 points, ranking them 11th, showcasing a balanced team effort. Their pass rush accumulated 39 sacks, placing them 10th, while their secondary was formidable with 16 interceptions, ranking 4th.
Their ability to recover fumbles was unparalleled, as they led the league with 16 recoveries. Despite allowing 5,806 opponent yards (17th), the Bills’ knack for creating turnovers was a major asset.
Recent Preseason Performance
The Bills’ recent preseason games showcased mixed results. In their third preseason game, they defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-19, displaying a solid offensive performance with 270 passing yards and 105 rushing yards.
However, they faced a tough challenge against the Chicago Bears, suffering a 38-0 loss. The game highlighted areas needing improvement, particularly as they managed only 103 passing yards and 77 rushing yards.
Key Players to Watch
On offense, James Cook is a key player, leading the rushing attack with 1,009 yards and 16 touchdowns in the 2024 season. Khalil Shakir, their top wide receiver, contributed significantly with 821 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns.
Defensively, watch for players like Tre’Davious White and Greg Rousseau, who are vital to their pass defense and rush. The Bills’ ability to turn over the ball can largely be credited to these defensive standouts.
Buffalo Bills Betting Trends
- Ranked 2nd in the league for total points scored in 2024.
- Top 10 in both passing and rushing yards for the season.
- Led the league in fumbles recovered during the regular season.
- Josh Allen ranked 2nd in fantasy points among quarterbacks.
The Baltimore Ravens: A Force to be Reckoned With
Offensive Strengths
The Baltimore Ravens demonstrated offensive prowess in the 2024 season, ranking 3rd in total scoring with 518 points. Their rushing attack was particularly dominant, accumulating 3189 yards to lead the league. With a potent mix of run and pass, they secured 4035 passing yards, ranking 7th overall.
Their ability to maintain offensive drives is noteworthy, as evidenced by their 3rd place ranking in first downs with 393. Their third-down efficiency was similarly impressive, converting 48.2% of attempts, placing them 3rd in the league.
Defensive Capabilities
On the defensive side, the Ravens were formidable, holding opponents to 361 points, ranking 9th in the league. Their pass rush was particularly effective, tallying 54 sacks, the second-highest total in the NFL. Their ability to pressure quarterbacks was complemented by securing 12 interceptions, ranking them 8th.
They also excelled in containing overall yardage, limiting opponents to 5511 yards, earning them the 10th spot in that category. Their opportunistic defense also recovered five fumbles, further showcasing their ability to capitalize on opponents’ mistakes.
Preseason Momentum
The Ravens carried their regular-season momentum into the preseason, winning all three games decisively. They defeated the Washington Commanders 30-3, showcasing their defensive strength by limiting the Commanders to just 85 rushing yards and forcing three interceptions.
In their clash with the Dallas Cowboys, the Ravens dominated both sides of the ball, securing a 31-13 victory. Their rushing attack was relentless, gaining 148 yards, while their defense restricted the Cowboys to only seven first downs.
Injury Concerns
Despite their strong performances, the Ravens face injury challenges. Key players like Patrick Ricard and Jaire Alexander are questionable for the upcoming game against the Buffalo Bills.
Ar’Darius Washington, Adisa Isaac, and others are sidelined with significant injuries, potentially impacting the depth and versatility of the team as they enter the regular season.
Betting Trends
- Ravens are 3-0 in their last three preseason games.
- The Ravens’ defense has allowed an average of just 10.6 points per game in the preseason.
- They have covered the spread in all preseason games.
- The Ravens’ games have gone under the total in 2 of their last 3 preseason games.
Bills vs Ravens Prediction: Over 50.5
The Buffalo Bills enter Week 1 with a potent offensive unit, ranked 2nd in scoring last season with 525 points. Their offensive capabilities are well-balanced with top 10 rankings in both passing and rushing yards. Playing at home, the Bills are expected to continue their high-scoring ways.
The Ravens, on the other hand, were 3rd in scoring last season, putting up 518 points. With a strong run game that ranked 1st in rushing yards, they are likely to exploit any defensive weaknesses the Bills might present. In previous encounters, the Ravens have shown they can score effectively against the Bills.
Weather conditions include light rain, which could affect passing accuracy, but both teams have proven they can run the ball efficiently. Given that both the Bills and Ravens have demonstrated the ability to score over 25 points in past games against each other, this matchup leans towards a high-scoring affair.
Considering the offensive strengths of both teams and their recent head-to-head history, the total set at 50.5 points seems achievable. Therefore, the pick is for the game to go over 50.5 points.
- Bills vs Ravens Prediction: Over 50.5
- Bills vs Ravens Score: Bills 31 – Ravens 28
