For the Baltimore Ravens, it will be an opportunity for a measure of retribution.
For the Buffalo Bills, it will be a chance to reaffirm their status as an AFC powerhouse out of the gates.
For NFL fans, it's a scintillating prime-time showdown to circle on the calendar.
What more could you ask for when the Bills host the Ravens in Week 1 on Sunday Night Football? How about a little history?
With quarterback Josh Allen leading Buffalo into battle against Lamar Jackson's Baltimore squad, the SNF showdown will mark the first-ever Week 1 matchup between QBs who finished first and second in AP NFL MVP voting the previous season, according to NFL Research.
Allen is the reigning MVP, having hauled in the hardware by edging out Jackson, who was vying for his third career MVP, by a 383-362 voting margin.
This will, of course, be the first time the teams collide since the Bills dashed the Ravens' Super Bowl hopes with a 27-25 Divisional Round win. Buffalo's season concluded a round later with a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game.
While it will be a historic Week 1 matchup, history doesn't bode well for Jackson and the Ravens.
In Week 1 rematches of playoff games from the previous seasons, the postseason winner has won each of the last seven contests, including the Chiefs beating the Ravens last year -- and the Detroit Lions defeating the Los Angeles Rams.
Furthermore, it will mark the fourth Week 1 matchup all time between an MVP and an MVP runner-up regardless of position. In each of the following showdowns, the MVP's team came out on top, per NFL Research.
| MVP winner | MVP runner-up | Year | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| BUF QB Josh Allen | BAL QB Lamar Jackson | 2025 | ??? |
| STL RB Marshall Faulk | PHI QB Donovan McNabb | 2001 | Rams 20, Eagles 17 |
| GB QB Brett Favre | DET RB Barry Sanders | 1998 | Packers 38, Lions 19 |
| SF QB Steve Young | PIT RB Barry Foster | 1993 | 49ers 24, Steelers 13 |
Reigning MVP 3-0 in Week 1 MVP vs. MVP runner-up matchups
The Ravens are coming off a 12-5 campaign in which they won their second AFC North title in a row. Jackson was stellar to the tune of 45 offensive TDs, with 41 through the air, 4,172 passing yards and 915 rushing yards. Among Baltimore's regular-season wins was a 35-10 Week 4 victory over Buffalo in which Jackson had three total TDs. He's 2-1 in the regular season against Allen, but 0-2 in the playoffs.
Allen and the Bills won their fifth consecutive AFC East crown last season. The reigning MVP threw for 3,731 yards and 28 TDs, while rushing for 12 scores and 531 yards.
Both Jackson and Allen were tabbed as Pro Bowlers, but it was Jackson who was voted first-team All-Pro, and Allen who eventually took center stage at NFL Honors as the MVP.
It's a prevailing narrative in a Week 1 showdown that's No. 1 on NFL.com digital content editor Jeremy Bergman’s top 10 2025 prime-time games for a reason.
The hype is there for both squads. The storylines are abundant. History favors Allen and the Bills, however.
