Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills Pick, January 25, 2025

Today, the Baltimore Ravens are visiting the Buffalo Bills in a high-stakes playoff showdown, with the winner advancing to face the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game. Featuring two dynamic quarterbacks having MVP-caliber seasons, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson will square off in what promises to be a game for the ages. With the Bills being a perfect 9-0 this season at home, the Ravens will have their work cut out for them. Read more Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills Pick, January 25, 2025 below. 

Kickoff

When: Sunday, January 19th at 6:30 PM ET

Where: Highmark Stadium – Buffalo, NY

TV: CBS

The Odds

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Pick your Poison

It’s no secret that to beat the Ravens you must stop the rushing attack. The problem is determining which player, between Derrick Henry and Jackson, to focus and key to make this happen. Last week, the Pittsburgh Steelers decided to crash down on Henry and the running backs which left Jackson free to scramble all over the field. The results were 299-yard combined rushing yards for the Ravens. The Bills were crushed by Baltimore in Week 4 of this season, 35-10, where they failed miserably to stop the run by giving up 199 yards to Henry, with 87 yards on the opening play. 

“If we had about five 300-pound linebackers, I think we’d be in pretty good shape. I don’t know who has that size of linebacker in the NFL,” says coach Sean McDermott. “He’s been doing this for years, and he’s really good at it. So, I don’t know if anybody’s ever stopped him. … Lamar and him make a heck of a one-two combination.”

The last game wasn’t played in Buffalo where the Bills averaged 33.8 points while going 9-0 and winning by a margin of 17.4 points. This is the best team the Ravens have faced during their five-game winning streak. And despite beating the Steelers last week, they did give up two long touchdown passes and almost let them back in the game. The Bills will look to take advantage of a secondary that does have lapses, especially when a quarterback can extend the play. 

Most Valuable player

It’s the age-old dilemma in MVP discussions: Does the award go to the player with the best statistical season, or to the player whose team would struggle to be as dominant without them? There is no question that both quarterbacks are essential in their team’s success. Both Allen and Jackson are having historic, MVP, caliber seasons. It’s almost unfair that the voters must look for flaws to justify their votes when both quarterbacks have been outstanding. The one factor that could cost Jackson the award but ultimately get his first championship is the addition of Henry this offseason. Jackson has the benefit of not only having Henry but Zay Flowers who is a top ten receiver in the game. With Flowers listed as doubtful he may be down one of his skill players tonight. 

On the other hand, Allen was the only All-Pro on the Bills while the Ravens feature six players with that designation. His efficiency and ability to extend the plays and spread the ball around will be on display against the Ravens secondary. 

“He is definitely a competitor,” says Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey, “Me and some of the guys were talking … about quarterbacks we hate playing the most, based off who would be closest to Lamar [Jackson and] how he’s able to keep a play going. The play is really never over, and then, when he runs, he is a big dude.”

Just imagine—the winner of this game will move on to face arguably the greatest quarterback of this generation, Patrick Mahomes. Buckle up, football fans, this is about to get exciting!

The Pick

It’s tough enough that I have to preview the Baltimore Ravens just a week after watching my beloved Pittsburgh Steelers’ season end. What’s even harder is that I’m picking them not only to defeat the Buffalo Bills today, but also to take down the Chiefs next week and ultimately win the Super Bowl. The combination of Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson will prove too much for the league—and for the Bills today. Ravens win 27-18.