Buffalo Bills vs Baltimore Ravens January 19th 2025
The Ravens are favored on the road with a money line of -117 as they take on the Bills at 6:30 ET on Sunday, January 19th. The Bills’ money line odds are -102, and the point spread is very close, with the Ravens at -1. This AFC matchup is being televised on CBS, with the over/under line set at 51.5 points.
Baltimore vs. Buffalo Key Information
- Teams: Ravens at Bills
- Where: Highmark Stadium Orchard Park
- Date: Sunday, January 19th
- Betting Odds BAL -117 | BUF -102 O/U 51.5
The Ravens Can Win If…
After finishing the regular season 12-5, the Ravens enter the playoffs on a four-game winning streak, which includes a 28-14 victory over the Steelers in the Wild Card round. Baltimore was favored by 8.5 points in that game and covered the spread, while the combined score of 42 points fell short of the 44.5-point line. The Ravens also covered in their final three regular season games, including a 35-10 win over the Browns in week 18 and a 31-2 win over the Texans in week 17.
Heading into the Divisional round, the Ravens rank 2nd in our power rankings. They have an average scoring margin of +9.5 points per game and are 11-6-1 against the spread this season. Their O/U record is 13-5, with their games averaging 51.2 points compared to an average line of 47.1.
We have the Ravens at the top of our offensive power rankings heading into the divisional round. They lead the NFL in yards per game (427.1) and are 3rd in points per game, averaging 30.3. Baltimore has leaned heavily on the run game, ranking 2nd in rushing attempts and leading the league with 193.8 rushing yards per game. On 3rd down, they rank 3rd in the NFL with a 48.2% conversion rate, but they are 31st in red zone conversion percentage despite being 6th in red zone attempts.
Lamar Jackson posted a passer rating of 132 in the wild card round, throwing for 175 yards and 2 touchdowns without an interception. Derrick Henry rushed for 186 yards and 2 touchdowns on 26 carries, while Isaiah Likely led the team with 53 receiving yards. Jackson has not thrown an interception in his last 3 games, and Henry has rushed for 138, 147, and 186 yards in those games.
The Ravens’ defense gave up 251 passing yards to the Steelers in their most recent game, with 66.7% completions. Despite this, Baltimore came away with a 28-14 win. The Ravens’ defense was tough against the run, allowing just 29 yards on 11 attempts. They also managed to sack the quarterback four times and held Pittsburgh to 45.5% on third down.
Two of the Steelers’ touchdowns came through the air, and they averaged 8.4 yards per attempt. Even though Baltimore allowed 280 total yards, their ability to stop the run and pressure the quarterback played a big role in their victory.
- Baltimore will look to keep things rolling as they have put together a mark of 3-0 over their past three games. In terms of betting, the team went 3-0 ATS in these matchups. Their over/under record in these matchups is 1-2.
- Across Baltimore’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 8-2. Their record against the spread in this stretch is 7-3 to go along with an over-under mark of 6-4.
The Bills Can Win If…
Buffalo finished the regular season 13-4, placing them 2nd in the AFC and 3rd in our power rankings. They went 9-0 at home but were just 5-4 on the road. The Bills were 11-7 against the spread, with an average scoring margin of +10.1 points per game. They were 9-5 ATS as favorites and 2-2 as underdogs. Their O/U record was 11-7, with the over hitting in their last two games.
Buffalo bounced back from two straight losses with a 31-10 win over the Dolphins in week 2. They were 2.5-point underdogs but easily covered the spread. The 41 total points were under the 49-point line. In week 1, the Bills beat the Cardinals 34-28 but couldn’t cover the 6.5-point spread. The 62 points were well over the 45.5-point line.
Josh Allen was excellent in the Wild Card round, posting a passer rating of 135 while throwing for 272 yards and 2 touchdowns without an interception. Curtis Samuel led the team with 68 receiving yards on 3 catches, while James Cook rushed for 120 yards on 23 carries. Buffalo scored 31 points against Denver, with 11 of those coming in the 3rd quarter. They converted 8 of 15 3rd downs but struggled in the red zone, going just 1 for 5.
Buffalo ranks 2nd in the NFL in points per game, averaging 30.9, and they are 9th in passing yards per game with 229.8. Despite being 24th in passing attempts, they rank 5th in 1st-quarter scoring. The Bills are 7th in the league in 3rd-down conversions, with a 44.1% success rate.
Buffalo’s defense was dominant in their most recent game, allowing just 145 passing yards and 79 rushing yards on 17 attempts in a 31-7 win over the Broncos. The Bills held Denver to just 2 of 9 on third down conversions and gave up only 224 total yards. The Broncos’ only score came on a late touchdown in the fourth quarter.
The Bills’ defense also came away with two sacks and limited the Broncos to a 60.9% completion percentage. Buffalo’s secondary didn’t allow any big plays, as the Broncos averaged just 6.3 yards per pass attempt.
- Buffalo will look to keep things rolling as they have put together a mark of 3-0 over their past three games. The team has also been excellent vs the spread, going 2-1. Their over-under record in these games was 1-2.
- Through their last ten regular season contests, Buffalo has a record of 9-1. In these contests, the team went just 6-4 against the spread, while going 7-3 on the over-under.
The Lean
Our pick vs. the spread is to take the Bills to cover as home underdogs in this week two post-season matchup vs. the Ravens. The point spread lines have the Bills at +1, and with our projected final score being 27-21 in favor of Buffalo, we are confident in their chances to cover.
For the over/under line, we are leaning towards taking the under, with the line sitting at 51.5 points. Our projections have this game finishing with 48 combined points, making the under a solid pick for this matchup.
The time is now‼️@LindseyStirling pic.twitter.com/Whc8zq1uRc
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 17, 2025
MVP Favorites Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen Set for Epic Playoff Battle
The spotlight shines brightly on two of the NFL’s brightest stars—Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen—as the Baltimore Ravens visit the Buffalo Bills in an AFC divisional-round playoff showdown. With MVP buzz surrounding both quarterbacks, the matchup promises to be a thrilling contest of talent, strategy, and determination.
However, neither Jackson nor Allen views the game as a personal rivalry. Both players are focused on their teams’ success, but fans and analysts alike can’t help but frame the contest as a clash of MVP frontrunners.
Lamar Jackson: Focused on Victory, Not Comparisons
Lamar Jackson, already a two-time MVP, has little interest in entertaining comparisons or MVP talk. His fiery competitive spirit was evident in his comments leading up to the game: “I’m trying to beat you. I’m not trying to be your friend.” That determination underscores his mission to lead the Ravens back to the AFC Championship Game.
Jackson’s leadership has propelled Baltimore to a strong postseason run, aided by the late-season addition of Derrick Henry. The star running back’s bruising style complements Jackson’s dynamic playmaking, creating a multi-dimensional offensive attack that few defenses can contain. Henry’s dominant performance in the wild-card round—186 yards and two touchdowns—highlighted his pivotal role in Baltimore’s game plan.
The Ravens’ challenge, however, extends beyond their offense. With Jackson’s playoff record sitting at 3-4, Baltimore aims to secure two postseason wins in a single campaign for the first time in over a decade.
Josh Allen: Aiming to Break Through
For Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills, the stakes are equally high. Despite consistently reaching the postseason, the Bills have struggled to advance past the divisional round in recent years. Allen’s 6-5 playoff record includes a previous win over the Ravens in the 2020 season, but he remains hungry for more.
Allen’s strong arm and mobility make him a constant threat, but his success will depend on his ability to manage Baltimore’s aggressive defense. With Von Miller anchoring the Bills’ defensive front, Buffalo is equally prepared to disrupt Jackson’s rhythm and force critical mistakes.
Buffalo coach Sean McDermott acknowledges the challenges posed by Baltimore’s revamped offense, particularly after suffering a decisive loss to the Ravens earlier this season. “They handled us pretty good the first go-around,” McDermott admitted.
A Game of Adjustments and High Stakes
Both teams have evolved since their previous meeting in late September, where Baltimore dominated with a 35-10 victory. Derrick Henry’s explosive 87-yard touchdown run and Jackson’s efficient performance set the tone for the Ravens, leaving Buffalo searching for answers. As Ravens coach John Harbaugh noted, “Both teams are better across the board” heading into this rematch.
Injuries could play a pivotal role, with key players like Ravens receiver Zay Flowers and Buffalo reserve running back Ray Davis uncertain for Sunday. Both coaches will need to adapt on the fly, utilizing their deep rosters and tactical acumen to gain an edge.
Explore Expert Betting Strategies and Detailed Breakdowns of the NFL Divisional Round Games
One Game, Endless Implications
As the Ravens and Bills prepare to face off, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Beyond the MVP narratives surrounding Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen, this game represents a critical step toward the ultimate goal: a Super Bowl championship. With each team boasting elite talent and playoff experience, fans can expect a hard-fought battle in Orchard Park.
Whether it’s Jackson’s electrifying runs or Allen’s pinpoint passes, this showdown will define legacies and shape the trajectory of the postseason. One team will move forward, while the other will see its Super Bowl aspirations dashed, making Sunday’s clash a must-watch spectacle.