Lamar Jackson and the Ravens were just given the edge they need to beat the Bills

The Baltimore Ravens kick off the season against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, and the Ravens may have a hidden advantage.
AFC Divisional Playoffs: Baltimore Ravens v Buffalo Bills
AFC Divisional Playoffs: Baltimore Ravens v Buffalo Bills | Al Bello/GettyImages

The Baltimore Ravens will start their season with a divisional round matchup, playing the Buffalo Bills on the road. Baltimore and Buffalo are once again expected to be two of the best teams in the league, and that’s why this Week 1 meeting is the first Sunday Night Football game of the year. If it’s anything like the divisional game, that ended 27-25 in the Bills’ favor, it’ll be a great game.

The Ravens, of course, are hoping the outcome is different this time around. While the game has to be played on the field, there’s reason to believe the result will be different this time. That reason is Baltimore being doubted.

ESPN reporter Jamison Hensley recently pointed out that the Ravens are 1.5 point underdogs. However, the team has been exceptional as underdogs with Lamar Jackson under center. Hensley highlighted Jackson’s 10-5 record as an underdog — the best underdog record in the Super Bowl era with a minimum of 10 starts.

Ravens will put impressive underdog record on the line against Bills

Baltimore hasn’t found itself as the underdog often since Jackson has taken over, because the team has been one of the best in the league. That remains the case going into 2025, as many analysts argue the Ravens have one of the two best rosters in the league next to the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite that, the Ravens are underdogs to the Bills. That could be because the game is taking place in Buffalo.

Either way, this will be the latest opportunity for Lamar Jackson and Baltimore to do what they do best: deliver even when the odds aren’t in their favor. A Week 1 win would still leave the Ravens pretty far away from their ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl, but defeating the Bills would be a great way to start the season.

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