Baltimore Beatdown
The 2025 NFL Regular Season is finally here, and with it comes a highly anticipated rematch between the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills on Sunday Night Football. The Baltimore Beatdown staff gives their bold predictions for the Week 1 contest.
The Ravens come out and dominate this game. With the Bills’ roster banged up the way it is, their defense simply won’t be able to stop the Ravens. But unlike Week 4 last year, this time it’ll be the pass game that shines, not Derrick Henry. Lamar Jackson reminds folks that he should have been the 2024 MVP, throwing for three touchdowns and nearly 300 yards. Charlie Kolar, stepping up with both Isaiah Likely and Patrick Ricard down, goes for 75-plus yards and has one of the touchdowns. It’s a slow day on the ground for the Ravens, but Jackson himself runs for another 50 yards and his fourth combined score on the night.
The Ravens’ defense has a solid but unspectacular night, with Josh Allen doing his thing as well, but it’s just not enough against Jackson and the Ravens. That being said, the pass rush does get after Allen. The Ravens get four sacks, one each from Kyle Van Noy, Odafe Oweh, and Kyle Hamilton, who stays in the box almost all game, harassing Allen on the blitz. Mike Green shines in his rookie debut as well, winning pass rush reps and stacking pressure numbers, but it’s fellow rookie Aeneas “Fub” Peebles who gets the last sack with a quick swim and inside pressure. While the Bills do score, it comes with difficulty, as the Ravens’ secondary lives up to the hype with multiple pass breakups. Tyler Loops hits a 55+ yarder as well. Ravens win 31-17. – Zach Canter
Mark Andrews has a storybook statement game and avenges last season’s crushing ending. He leads the Ravens’ offense with two touchdowns and 80+ receiving yards. Tyler Loop officially arrives by making a long fourth-quarter field goal to break a tie and give the Ravens a three-point lead. The Ravens’ defense ices the game by forcing a turnover on the final drive, where Odafe Oweh strip sacks Josh Allen. – Frank Platko
Mark Andrews officially turns the page from his disappointing playoff performance against the Bills with a pair of touchdowns on Sunday night. The Ravens’ offense lives up to the hype in their first outing, scoring 30+ points while having their way on the ground and through the air. Derrick Henry continues to look like an ageless wonder to the tune of 150+ rushing yards and a touchdown.
Baltimore’s defense will be the biggest story of the night, however, as Josh Allen is harassed by a relentless pass rush throughout the night while having little success through the air against a dominant secondary. Rookie first-round safety Malaki Starks wastes no time making his name known with an interception, while second-round rookie Mike Green notches his first NFL sack. The Ravens start the season with a...
