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With a spot in the AFC Championship game on the line, the Buffalo Bills and Josh Allen host the Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson in the final game of the divisional round of the NFL playoffs.
The Bills cruised by the Denver Broncos 31-7 in the AFC’s No. 2 vs. No. 7-seed matchup to set up a divisional round date with the AFC North powerhouse Ravens. Meanwhile, the Ravens dominated the Pittsburgh Steelers on the opening night of the wild card round, 28-14.
Buffalo entered the postseason as the No. 2 seed and the Ravens as the No. 3; therefore, Buffalo is the home team and the game will be played at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York.
The Bills seek revenge for their Week 4 meeting against the Ravens which Baltimore boat-raced them, 35-10. Ravens running back Derrick Henry was a force to be reckoned with that night posting 209 total yards (199 rushing, 10 receiving). However, all eyes will be on the quarterbacks tonight. Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen have been battling all season long for NFL MVP honors.
This will be the fifth time the two superstars have faced off. Jackson owns the regular-season series with three wins and one loss to Allen. However, the postseason has been flip-flopped, with Allen beating Jackson once in the playoffs in the 2020 divisional round 17-3.
Allen has averaged the most offensive yards per game (327.6) and touchdowns per game (2.6) in the playoffs in NFL history. The Bills will aim to replicate the ridiculous 41:43 time of possession they had in the wild card matchup against Denver.
However, Jackson was the AP’s first-team All-Pro quarterback for a second straight season and he’s favored to win his third MVP award. The Ravens’ imposing offense is paired with a defense that has ranked first in EPA allowed since Week 11. This head-to-head is arguably the most anticipated one to this point.
USA TODAY Sports will provide live updates, highlights and more from the divisional round matchup between the Bills and Ravens on Sunday below. All times are Eastern.
The Bills deferred the opening kickoff and the Ravens take advantage. They strike first with a 73-yard drive that ends with Lamar Jackson finding Rashod Bateman for a 16-yard touchdown. Isaiah Likely had the big play, hauling in a 39-yard catch-and-run to set up the score. Now Josh Allen and the Bills will go to work looking for a response.
Ravens 7, Bills 0
Jackson went to school at the University of Louisville. He was recruited by several colleges but he committed to the less-prestigious Louisville, whose coach, Bobby Petrino, promised Jackson that he would play quarterback and no other position. He finished third in Heisman voting his junior season before declaring for the NFL draft in 2018.
Bills vs. Ravens start time
- Date: Sunday, January 19, 2025
- Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
The Bills and Ravens game will wrap up the divisional round of the NFL playoffs, kicking off at 6:30 p.m. ET.
The Ravens are favorites to defeat the Bills, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Not interested in this game? Check out expert picks and best bets for every NFL game this week.
- Spread: Ravens (-1)
- Moneyline: Ravens (-120); Bills (+100)
- Over/under: 51.5
Bills vs. Ravens TV channel
- Live stream: Fubo | Paramount+
For cord cutters looking for a live stream for the matchup, you can turn to Fubo. Fubo carries NBC, as well as CBS, FOX, NFL Network and the ESPN family of networks, meaning you can catch NFL action through the remainder of the season.
Don’t miss another NFL playoff game with a Fubo subscription
Bills vs. Ravens predictions, picks
Here’s how the USA TODAY Sports staff feels the divisional round matchup between the Bills and Ravens will shape up:
- Lorenzo Reyes: Bills 28, Ravens 25
- Tyler Dragon: Ravens 27, Bills 24
- Jordan Mendoza: Ravens 34, Bills 31
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Looking to make the Bills-Ravens playoff matchup a bit more interesting? Here are some of the best bets for the game:
- Divisional round: Jan. 18-19
- NFC/AFC championship games: Jan. 26
- Super Bowl 59: Feb. 9
- Date: Sunday, Jan. 26
- Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Arrowhead Stadium
- TV channel: CBS
The Ravens wide receiver is inactive and will not play today. He suffered a knee injury in the Ravens’ Week 18 win over the Cleveland Browns. Zay Flowers missed the Ravens’ wild-card win over the Pittsburgh Steelers while dealing with a knee injury. He will miss his second consecutive game.
Initially, it seemed more likely that snow would fall after the game rather than during it, per Weather.com‘s forecast. However, some morning flurries muddied the forecast, though a majority of the snow scheduled to fall in Orchard Park is still set to begin after midnight.
Regardless of the potential snow, it is expected to be cold during the Bills vs. Ravens game. Temperatures will be below 20 degrees throughout the contest and the wind chill will make it feel closer to single-digits.
Below are the full details of Sunday’s forecast for Orchard Park, N.Y., according to Weather.com.
- High temperature: 22 degrees
- Low temperature: 11 degrees
- Chance of precipitation: 40-71%
- Wind: 5-15 mph
- Location: Caesars Superdome (New Orleans)
- Time: 6:30 p.m.
- TV: FOX
Following a bye week for both Super Bowl-bound teams, Super Bowl 59 will kick off on Feb. 9.
All times ET.
Divisional round
AFC
NFC
Conference championships
Sunday, Jan. 26:
- NFC championship game: No. 6 Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles, 3 p.m.
- AFC championship game: No. 1 Kansas City Chiefs vs. TBD, 6:30 p.m.
Super Bowl 59
- Date: Feb. 9, 2025
- Location: Caesars Superdome (New Orleans)
- Time: 6:30 p.m.
- TV: FOX
The winner of tonight’s divisional-round matchup between the Ravens and Bills will advance to the AFC Championship game and play the Chiefs on Sunday, Jan. 26, at 6:30 p.m. ET.
