Game of the Preseason Week 1 ? Ravens at Bills Packed with Playoff Implications

The lights are bright, the rosters are deep, and the stakes feel higher than your average preseason clash. The 🏈 Ravens at Bills matchup on Sunday, September 7, 2025, isn’t just a warm-up—it’s a statement game for two teams with Super Bowl ambitions.

Kicking off at 8:20 PM ET at Highmark Stadium in Buffalo, New York, this game could very well serve as a preview of a future AFC Championship. With elite quarterbacks, aggressive coaching staffs, and deep benches, it’s easy to see why this is being labeled the game of the week—and maybe of the entire preseason.

📅 Game Snapshot

• Matchup: 🏈 Ravens at Bills
• Date: Sunday, September 7, 2025
• Time: 8:20 PM ET
• Location: Highmark Stadium, Buffalo, NY
• TV: NBC (National Broadcast)
• Streaming: NFL+, Peacock, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo Tv
• Radio: WBAL 1090 AM (Baltimore), WGR 550 AM (Buffalo)
• Tickets: as low as $273
• Line: BUF -1.5
• O/U: 52.5

🟣 Baltimore Ravens: Depth and Dynamism

What We Know

The Ravens are built to contend in 2025. With Lamar Jackson fresh off another MVP-caliber season and John Harbaugh continuing to innovate on both sides of the ball, Baltimore enters the preseason with swagger.

While Jackson and most of the starting offense will likely rest, this is a great opportunity for:

• Rookie QB Devin Leary to showcase his poise.
• WR Zay Flowers to build chemistry with backups.
• New TE Isaiah Likely to take reps in the slot.
• LB Trenton Simpson to command the second-team defense.

Key Position Battles

• Backup QB: Tyler Huntley vs. Devin Leary
• WR Depth: Tylan Wallace, Andy Isabella, and Devontez Walker fighting for WR4/5
• CB Room: Jalyn Armour-Davis and rookie Deantre Prince competing for nickel snaps

🔵 Buffalo Bills: Reloading with Intent

What We Know

The Bills are entering a new phase. Josh Allen is still the heart and soul of the franchise, but the departures of Stefon Diggs and defensive stalwarts have shifted the team dynamic.

This game gives Buffalo the chance to test:

• New WR1 Khalil Shakir and rookie Keon Coleman
• Rookie QB Sam Hartman, backing up Josh Allen
• RB James Cook, who may get early series touches
• Revamped secondary featuring Kaiir Elam and rookie Malik Mustapha

Key Position Battles

• Backup QB: Matt Barkley vs. Sam Hartman
• WR Room: Depth evaluation behind Shakir, Coleman, and Kincaid
• Safety Pairing: With Micah Hyde retired, Mustapha and Rapp compete for starting duties

🔁 Injury Updates

Ravens

• Lamar Jackson – Rest (not expected to play)
• Ronnie Stanley (LT) – Limited (ankle)
• Kyle Hamilton (S) – Out (hamstring)
• Rashod Bateman (WR) – Questionable (hip tightness)

Bills

• Josh Allen – Active but likely limited to 1 series
• Von Miller (EDGE) – Out (rehab)
• Greg Rousseau (DE) – Limited (shoulder)
• Dalton Kincaid (TE) – Active, will start

🔥 Preseason Energy: Why This Game Matters

Even if the stars are watching from the sideline, the 🏈 Ravens at Bills still carries massive value:

• Young Roster Evaluation: Both teams have talented rookie classes needing game reps.
• Backup QB Showcase: In today’s NFL, a capable QB2 is essential.
• Coaching Strategies: Watch how Harbaugh and McDermott use motion, formation, and tempo—even in preseason.
• AFC Playoff Preview?: With both teams likely to make deep postseason runs, this is a tone-setting opportunity.

📊 Betting Guide – Spread, Total, and Props

Current Lines

• Spread: Bills -1.5
• Moneyline: Bills -120 | Ravens +105
• Over/Under: 37.5 points

Betting Insights

• Buffalo is 5–1 ATS in their last six preseason home games.
• The Ravens, long known for dominating preseason games under Harbaugh, are 20–5 ATS in their last 25 August matchups.
• Expect live line movement based on early quarterback announcements.

Best Bets

• Ravens +1.5: Back Harbaugh’s proven preseason intensity.
• Over 37.5: With dynamic young quarterbacks, expect offensive success.
• First Team to Score – Ravens (-110): Harbaugh often scripts early success.
• Anytime TD – Keon Coleman (+180): The rookie WR has red zone chemistry with Sam Hartman.
• Total Turnovers – Over 2.5 (+115): Preseason = sloppy ball security.

📈 Depth Chart Comparison

Ravens Offensive Starters (Projected)

QB: Tyler Huntley → Devin Leary
RB: Justice Hill, Keaton Mitchell
WR: Zay Flowers, Tylan Wallace, Devontez Walker
TE: Charlie Kolar
OL: Linderbaum, Faalele, Cleveland

Bills Offensive Starters (Projected)

QB: Josh Allen (1 series) → Matt Barkley → Sam Hartman
RB: James Cook, Ty Johnson
WR: Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Justin Shorter
TE: Dalton Kincaid
OL: Morse, Torrence, Brown

🧠 Coaching Styles: Preseason Philosophies

John Harbaugh – Ravens

• Prioritizes game simulation, even in August
• Regularly wins preseason matchups
• Leverages young players in real-time situations
• Strong on special teams and third-down emphasis

Sean McDermott – Bills

• Balanced approach; emphasizes mental reps
• Focused on positional depth and defensive communication
• Will test different offensive sets for rhythm and protection

🧪 Key Matchups to Watch

1. Devin Leary vs. Bills’ Secondary

• The Ravens rookie QB has impressed in scrimmages. This will be his first real game test.
• Expect Buffalo to disguise coverage and blitz early.

2. Keon Coleman vs. Jalyn Armour-Davis

• A physical matchup between two rising talents.
• Both are competing for real regular-season reps.

3. Ravens O-Line vs. Bills Front Seven

• Buffalo’s defensive line will test Baltimore’s depth protection.
• Look for stunts and inside pressure.

4. James Cook vs. Ravens LBs

• Cook’s shiftiness will be tested against fast sideline-to-sideline defenders like Trenton Simpson.

📺 How to Watch – Live and Replay Info

• TV Broadcast: NBC (national)
• Streaming: NFL+, Peacock (NBC), YouTube TV, fuboTV
• Replay: NFL Network (24-hour loop)
• Mobile Streaming: NFL App, Yahoo Sports App
• Radio Coverage: WBAL 1090 AM (BAL), WGR 550 AM (BUF)

🎯 Final Score Prediction – 🏈 Ravens at Bills

Final Score: Ravens 23, Bills 20

• Game MVP: Devin Leary – 12/17, 162 yds, 2 TD
• X-Factor: Keon Coleman – 5 rec, 58 yds, 1 TD
• Defensive Standout: Trenton Simpson – 7 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 forced fumble

🧩 What This Game Could Tell Us

• Ravens’ QB3 is NFL ready: If Leary excels, Baltimore has more depth than most.
• Bills’ WR depth needs polish: Coleman looks ready, but others may struggle with separation.
• Both defenses are still elite: Even without starters, both units held strong in red zone situations.
• Coaching discipline is a difference-maker: Harbaugh’s preseason discipline gives Baltimore a noticeable edge.

🌟 Closing Thoughts

The 🏈 Ravens at Bills game might be labeled preseason, but the intensity, roster implications, and betting interest say otherwise. From top-tier quarterback depth to explosive rookies and strong defensive schemes, this is a must-watch on the preseason calendar.

Whether you’re scouting for fantasy, betting on the line, or simply craving competitive football in early September, this clash delivers. And if this is any preview of what a playoff meeting could look like, fans of both squads should buckle up for a thrilling 2025 season.