The NFL could not have scripted a more balanced heavyweight to close its first weekend. On Sunday night in Orchard Park, the Baltimore Ravens visit the Buffalo Bills in a matchup between two teams that both expect to be playing deep into January. The game features Lamar Jackson, now a two-time MVP, and Josh Allen, one of the league’s most dynamic quarterbacks. It is a primetime showcase with seeding and reputation already on the line in Week 1. For Baltimore, the mission is clear. Jackson has reached heights few quarterbacks ever have, but he has not broken through to the Super Bowl. This roster gives him one of his best chances yet. The Ravens added Derrick Henry in the offseason, pairing his power running with Jackson’s explosiveness. Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and DeAndre Hopkins form a versatile receiver group, while Mark Andrews returns as Jackson’s most trusted target at tight end. The offensive line, anchored by Ronnie Stanley and Tyler Linderbaum, is built to protect and open running lanes. The defense has long been Baltimore’s calling card, and this season is no different. Justin Madubuike anchors the line after a breakout year. Roquan Smith continues as the centerpiece at linebacker. The addition of Jaire Alexander to a secondary that already features Kyle Hamilton changes the ceiling of this group. Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo provide pressure off the edge, and the depth across the roster means coordinator Zach Orr has options to adjust against any style of offense. If the Ravens’ defense gives Jackson extra possessions, Baltimore will be a serious threat to win anywhere. Buffalo enters 2025 with a similar sense of urgency. The Bills have been close for years, making the playoffs in five straight seasons under Josh Allen, but have not made it to the Super Bowl. This season is about finishing. Allen remains the centerpiece, capable of dominating through the air and on the ground. His top target in Week 1 will be rookie Keon Coleman, with Curtis Samuel, Joshua Palmer, and Elijah Moore rounding out a receiving corps that has changed shape after the departure of Stefon Diggs. Tight end Dalton Kincaid is expected to take another step forward after a strong rookie year, with Dawson Knox providing depth at the position. James Cook is the lead back, with rookie Ray Davis expected to get touches as well. The Bills’ defense added one of the offseason’s biggest names in Joey Bosa. Pairing him with Gregory Rousseau and Ed Oliver gives Buffalo a front that can generate consistent pressure. Linebacker Matt Milano is healthy again, and the secondary remains strong with Micah Hyde and Kaiir Elam. This group has been tested in playoff runs, and the addition of Bosa may be the missing piece to get Buffalo over the top. The matchup is as even as it gets. Jackson brings speed and creativity that no defense has fully solved, and with Henry now in the backfield, Baltimore can force teams to defend both power and explosiveness on the ground. Allen, meanwhile, thrives in chaos, and Buffalo will ask him to carry the offense once again. Health plays a role. Khalil Shakir is questionable for the Bills, but expectations are that he will dress. Baltimore enters relatively healthy, though Andrews’ workload will be monitored as he continues to recover from a late-season injury last year. The setting adds even more weight. Primetime in Orchard Park is one of the league’s most unique environments. The crowd will be loud, the conditions challenging, and the intensity playoff-like. Both teams know how important early seeding can be in a conference as crowded as the AFC. My view is that this is the kind of opener that reveals character as much as talent. The Ravens will lean on their balance, with Jackson and Henry setting the tone and a defense that can clamp down late. The Bills will put the game in Allen’s hands, trusting his playmaking and hoping the new-look receiving corps steps up under the lights. With two teams this evenly matched, the smallest detail may decide it. A turnover, a special teams play, or a defensive stand could be the difference. What is certain is that the winner will walk away with a statement. The Ravens want to prove that Jackson’s best chance is now. The Bills want to show that Allen’s window is still wide open. On Sunday night, one of them will leave with the early upper hand in the race for AFC supremacy.