While fans are very excited that football is finally back, Sunday can't come fast enough, especially for Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens fans. This is always a favorite rematch between two MVP quarterbacks in Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson.
The two exceptional quarterbacks will be battling, as last season the Ravens beat the Bills at M&T Bank Stadium 35-10. Look for the Bills to get their revenge. However, what matchups should fans be on the lookout for? Luckily, it's clear as day.
2 important matchups the Bills need to win to beat the Ravens
Bills' defensive line vs. Ravens' offensive line
For their first matchup, the Bills' defensive line will look to battle its way in the trenches through the Ravens' offensive line. The Bills worked on upgrading the middle of their defensive line by drafting defensive tackle T.J. Sanders out of South Carolina in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Sanders is very skilled at 6 feet 5 inches, 297 pounds. He has a quick first step and can easily navigate his way through the backfield with speed and agility. Look for him to use that speed to be able to contain running back Derrick Henry from reaching the second level.
The Bills went back again in the fourth round and selected Deone Walker from Kentucky. At 6 feet 7 inches, 331 pounds, he is very athletic. What separates him from most hulking defensive linemen is that he scats his way through the defensive linemen and into the backfield.
If you pair Sanders and another player as big and poised as Walker, it could be game over for Henry trying to run against them.
(LB) Roquan Smith vs. (RB) James Cook
The other notable matchup previews Baltimore's star linebacker, Roquan Smith, against Buffalo's superstar tailback, James Cook. While the Ravens boast a 1-2 punch on offense with Jackson at quarterback and Henry at tailback, the Bills arguably have a top-five rusher in Cook.
While Smith is a slippery, quick-twitch linebacker, Cook is a fast, downhill type of runner who isn't afraid to stiff-arm Smith out of the way. This will be a tug-of-war battle that the Sunday night national audience will most likely be keeping an eye on throughout the night.
The crowd will also be interested in seeing if Sanders and Walker can generate enough speed and traction to create a brick wall for Henry to run into, and for Jackson to try to run through as well.
While most coaches and players of both teams will tell you it's "just another game", the national crowd will view it as a must-win for both teams if they want to secure home-field advantage and a first-round bye in the AFC playoffs.