The National Football League kicks off their Sunday Night Football schedule in a game that could have the best two teams in the league going at it. Now, fans of the Philadelphia Eagles will refute that assessment, and even after losing their opener to the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil, fans of the Kansas City Chiefs may request entrance into the best team in the league debate.
But, from where I sit, the best two teams battle tonight when the Buffalo Bills host the Baltimore Ravens.
Last year, these two teams met twice.
The Ravens were in a great motivational spot when they met the Bills in the fourth week of the 2024 season … and took full advantage with a 35-10 trouncing of Josh Allen and company. Buffalo came into that early season contest on a three-game winning streak and following a 47-10 trouncing of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Ravens lost their first two games of the 2024 regular season, downed in Kansas City by the length of a shoe top in the Thursday night opener and upset by the seemingly overmatched Las Vegas Raiders at home in second week action, They downed the Cowboys before their week four matchup against the undefeated Bills and were perfectly set up for a big effort against Sean McDermott's powerhouse.
That is why they won 35-10 when the teams met last September.
Then came their playoff battle in January.
The Bills looking to avenge their lopsided early season loss and the Ravens hoping to pin the Bills with a second straight 2024 defeat.
The motivational edge in that game was with the Bills, while the talent leaned the Ravens direction. The game played as close as the factors rolling into the game and a dropped two-point conversion attempt by normally surehanded Mark Andrews left the final score in the Bills favor, 27-25.
What does that lead us into tonight’s game expecting?
Well, the Ravens are the more talented team, the Bills are at home and fully motivated to meet their AFC rivals. The point spread opened with the Bills slight favorites and now the Ravens are a one-point favorite.
In other words, the books think this one is close.
So do I.
I don’t want to bet against the Ravens coming off their loss in Buffalo last September and I have no desire to bet against Josh Allen and his Bills in a home opener. This week, I have agreed with all my clients. When they tell me they like the Bills, I agree with them with reasons they are right. When they tell me they like the Ravens, I applaud their acumen and give reasons why they are right.
As for me, I think the right play is to enjoy tonight’s battle without an investment risked on the result.