Ravens Edge Bills 24-20 in Sunday Night Football Season Opener

Baltimore starts 1-0 with narrow win at Highmark Stadium; Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson duel sets tone for AFC race

The Baltimore Ravens overcame a late rally by the Buffalo Bills to secure a 24-20 victory in Sunday Night Football at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. Quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen exchanged big plays, but Baltimore’s defense made a pivotal fourth-quarter stop.

The season opener featured a clash of last year’s MVP runners-up, highlighting the significance of the AFC contenders’ rivalry. Jackson’s balanced attack and a clutch goal-line stand underscored why the Ravens enter the season as one of the league’s top threats.

Game Details

Baltimore took an early 14-7 lead behind Jackson’s 45-yard touchdown pass to Zay Flowers and a short rushing score by Derrick Henry.
Buffalo answered before halftime on Allen’s 27-yard strike to Khalil Shakir, cutting the deficit to 14-10.
A 34-yard field goal by Ravens kicker Justin Tucker extended the lead to 17-10 late in the third quarter.
Allen found tight end Mark Andrews for a 12-yard touchdown early in the fourth, bringing the Bills within a field goal.
Baltimore’s defense halted a two-point conversion attempt that would have tied the game, then forced a turnover on downs with 2:15 remaining.
Jackson-finishing with 259 passing yards and one touchdown-led a 65-yard drive that ended with Henry’s one-yard plunge to seal the win.

Key Performances

Lamar Jackson: 21-of-29, 259 yards, 1 TD; 42 rushing yards on 8 carries
Josh Allen: 24-of-35, 274 yards, 1 TD; 18 rushing yards
Derrick Henry: 18 carries, 72 yards, 1 TD
Mark Andrews: 7 receptions, 83 yards, 1 TD

What’s Next The Ravens host the Cleveland Browns on September 14 in Week 2, while the Bills travel to New England to face the Patriots in a divisional showdown. Both teams will look to maintain early momentum as they pursue playoff positioning in a competitive AFC landscape.