Week 1 brings Buffalo at Baltimore under prime-time lights, and fantasy managers will be watching three one-on-one battles that could tilt the narrative. Rashod Bateman faces the Bills’ upcoming CB2, while Matt Milano slides into Derrick Henry’s path in the opener. Odafe Oweh vs Spencer Brown caps the trio, a pair of edge duels that could set the tone for the first fantasy indicators of the season.

Bateman’s separation, Henry’s power, and Oweh’s sack potential shape not just the game flow but which players push into top-12 territory in weekly lineups. Brown’s blocking against Baltimore’s fearsome pass rush could swing Buffalo’s play-action and run game. The outcomes of these matchups will guide Week 1 value across fantasy teams.

Expect high leverage plays in the passing game, a few big plays against CB2, and a night where the defensive lines set the tempo. In short, these three matchups will tell you where early season fantasy upside and risk live in this divisional rematch.

Ravens' third‑down prowess versus Buffalo's retooled defense sets the stage for the Week 1 showdown at Highmark. Baltimore converted on a high clip in two head‑to‑head games, while Buffalo's stop unit must tighten up on third down with Matt Milano back in action. The opener hinges on sustained drives and field position, with third‑downs dictating tempo and possession balance.

Sports Illustrated's Matthew Verderame flags Ravens’ offense vs Bills’ defense on third down as the defining clash. If Baltimore keeps its third‑down surge intact and Buffalo can force a few more stops, the visitors have a strong shot to start 1–0; otherwise Buffalo's defense, aided by roster tweaks and a healthier Milano, could tilt the result Buffalo’s way.

The Week 1 SNF showdown between the Ravens and Bills centers on Isaiah Likely's Week 1 status, as he’s recovering from a broken bone in his foot and isn’t expected to play. That narrows Baltimore’s two-TE threat behind Mark Andrews and pushes fantasy focus toward Andrews and the Ravens’ pass-game components, with Lamar Jackson still a prime rushing engine. Buffalo, getting Matt Milano back, can better defend tight ends and curb some of Baltimore’s TE-driven mismatches, while still facing Jackson’s ground game.

With Likely out, Baltimore may lean more on Andrews and his peers at WR/RB to absorb targets, while Buffalo’s defense aims to slow the rushing attack and TE-driven plays. This Week 1 SNF tilt hinges on Ravens’ adaptation without Likely and Bills’ ability to modernize pass coverage against tight ends, complicating early-season game plans for fantasy managers.

Dion Dawkins anchors Buffalo’s 2025 top-30, a centerpiece ot the offense whose durability and run-blocking set the tone for a Josh Allen-led attack. The countdown also flags Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Elijah Moore and Khalil Shakir as key weapons, with Matt Milano and Ed Oliver anchoring the defense and Spencer Brown shaping the edges. The piece leans into 2024 MVP vibes, Protector of the Year chatter, and how protection and playmakers shape fantasy upside for Bills in 2025.

Fantasy managers should note the Dawkins-led line’s expected consistency, Allen’s ceiling when protected, and the mix of proven veterans with breakout potential at tight end and wideout. With Kincaid and Knox, plus Moore and Shakir, Buffalo’s offense looks poised for a robust target share and improved efficiency, while Milano and Oliver drive a stout defensive unit that can drive upside in tackles and sacks.