Ravens star says Baltimore will get ‘a little payback’ on Buffalo Bills in Week 1

As the 2025 NFL season kicks off, the Baltimore Ravens are set to face the Buffalo Bills in a highly anticipated Week 1 matchup on September 7, 2025, at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. The Ravens enter the game with a strong sense of determination, fueled by a desire to avenge their previous playoff loss to the Bills. Linebacker Roquan Smith recently expressed the team’s mentality heading into the game, stating, “Yes, absolutely, we have to be at our best… We’ll get to Buffalo Saturday, [and] we’ll be there Sunday night.”

The 2024 Playoff Loss

The Ravens’ most recent encounter with the Bills occurred during the 2024 AFC Divisional Round, where Baltimore suffered a narrow defeat. Despite a valiant effort, the Ravens fell short, leading to a sense of unfinished business heading into the new season. This loss has been a motivating factor for the team throughout the offseason.

Offseason Preparations

In preparation for the upcoming season, the Ravens have focused on strengthening their roster and refining their strategies. The team has made key acquisitions and adjustments to address areas of concern from the previous season. Additionally, the coaching staff has implemented new schemes designed to exploit the Bills’ defensive weaknesses. These preparations underscore the Ravens’ commitment to starting the season strong and seeking redemption against Buffalo.

Lamar Jackson vs. Bills Defense: Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is poised to lead his team with his dynamic playmaking ability. His performance against the Bills’ defense will be crucial in determining the outcome of the game.

Ravens Offensive Line vs. Bills Defensive Front: The battle in the trenches will be pivotal. The Ravens’ offensive line must establish dominance to create running lanes and provide Jackson with the necessary protection to execute plays effectively.

Ravens Defense vs. Josh Allen: Containing Bills quarterback Josh Allen is essential for the Ravens’ defensive success. The defense must apply consistent pressure and limit Allen’s ability to extend plays with his legs.

Fan Expectations

Ravens fans are eagerly anticipating the season opener, with many expressing confidence in the team’s ability to secure a victory over the Bills. The desire for redemption and the promise of “a little payback” have resonated strongly within the fanbase. Supporters are hopeful that the Ravens will channel their motivation into a dominant performance on the field.

The Week 1 matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and the Buffalo Bills is set to be a thrilling contest, with both teams eager to make a statement to start the season. For the Ravens, this game represents an opportunity to avenge their previous playoff loss and set the tone for the rest of the year. With a renewed sense of determination and a roster primed for success, Baltimore is ready to deliver on its promise of “a little payback.”

The Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens won’t face off until Sunday, September 7, but the trash talk is already beginning.

Last year, the Bills avenged a 35-10 regular-season loss to the Ravens by ending Baltimore’s season in the divisional round. Buffalo held on late for a 27-25 win to advance to the AFC Championship Game.

After stewing over the loss for months, Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith is looking for revenge. In an appearance on the NFL Network’s Schedule Release ’25, Smith guaranteed “a little payback.”

“Yeah, just how I like it,” Smith said on the show. “Revenge is best served as a cold dish, you know. So, it will be nice to get up to Buffalo and get a little payback for those guys from the end of the year.”

While Smith and the Ravens are looking to unleash their frustration over how their 2024 season ended, the linebacker expects the same from the Bills.

“Misery sets in all offseason and you use that as motivation throughout the offseason,” Smith said. “So, just knowing that we have everything it takes to be the best team in the NFL. You have to show that game in and game out and it’s going to start up there in Buffalo. Just like everything we’ve gone through throughout the offseason and how it ended, it’s just about unleashing it on those guys. And I’m sure they have the same plan.”

The Week 1 Sunday Night Football matchup will be the latest chapter in the blossoming rivalry between the Bills and Ravens. Buffalo and Baltimore both enter the 2025 season among the favorites to win the Super Bowl, thanks in part to their MVP-winning quarterbacks and talented rosters. The winner of the matchup will earn some bragging rights, but it may just be a matter of time before the two sides meet up again in a win-or-go-home matchup in the postseason.