Two AFC heavyweights open their seasons under the lights, as the Baltimore Ravens visit the Buffalo Bills on Sunday Night Football at 8:20 p.m. ET. It’s a fresh Week 1, but there’s real history here: Buffalo edged Baltimore 27–25 in last season’s playoff thriller, while the Ravens routed the Bills 35–10 in their regular-season meeting. Add Lamar Jackson vs. Josh Allen, and you get a primetime game that actually feels like a January test in September.

If you’re just here for how to watch, the game airs on NBC nationwide and streams on Peacock. Over-the-air TV will be the simplest free route for most people. Streaming options vary by region and subscription, and radio coverage is available locally in both markets with strict geofencing rules on mobile apps.

How to watch Ravens–Bills tonight (legal options)

Here are the legitimate ways to watch or listen without messing with shady streams. If you see a YouTube channel promising a full game broadcast, it won’t be the actual telecast—those are typically “watch-alongs” with fan commentary and no game footage. For a real Ravens vs Bills live stream, stick to the platforms that carry NBC rights.

• Free over-the-air (antenna): NBC carries Sunday Night Football. If you’re in range of your local NBC affiliate, an antenna gets you the game free in HD. This is the most reliable no-cost option.
• Peacock (NBC’s streaming service): Peacock streams Sunday Night Football in most U.S. markets. A paid subscription is generally required; free trials come and go, so check your account offers. It’s the simplest legal stream if you don’t have cable.
• Live TV streaming services: YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, and DirecTV Stream include NBC in many markets. Availability depends on your ZIP code. Some offer new-customer trials; whether you see one depends on location, promotions, and account history.
• NFL+: On phones and tablets, NFL+ streams live local and primetime games, including SNF. Note: Live games on NFL+ are mobile/tablet only; connected TV devices get replays, not live telecasts.
• Radio (Baltimore): WBAL NewsRadio 1090 AM/101.5 FM and 98 Rock (97.9 FM) carry the local call. On mobile apps, the live stream is restricted to within roughly 100 miles of Baltimore due to NFL rights; expect blackouts outside that radius.
• Radio (Buffalo): WGR 550 AM is the flagship for the Bills’ radio network. As with Baltimore, app streaming can be subject to geographic restrictions.
• Cable/satellite: If you already have NBC via cable or satellite, you’re set—tune in at 8:20 p.m. ET. Pregame coverage starts earlier in the evening.

Traveling or living outside your home market? Rights get tricky. NBC coverage is national, but streaming access can still hinge on where you are physically located. If you plan to watch on a streaming service, sign in early to confirm your NBC feed is unlocked before kickoff.

About those YouTube “free streams”: most are fan-led watch parties with live commentary and real-time reactions, not the broadcast. They can be fun as a second screen, but they won’t show the game itself. If a channel claims to air the full telecast, it’s almost certainly unauthorized and likely to be taken down mid-game.

Quick tip for cord-cutters: an indoor antenna is a cheap one-time buy that pays for itself the first time you need SNF, the Super Bowl, or a weather emergency. If you’re relying on Peacock or a live TV bundle, update your apps ahead of time and launch the stream a few minutes before kickoff to avoid authentication hiccups.

What to expect on the field

This matchup sells itself. Lamar Jackson brings his MVP pedigree and a scheme that leans on tempo, motion, and stress across the formation. Josh Allen, a perennial MVP candidate, is the NFL’s ultimate problem set—big arm, bruising runs, and the confidence to hunt chunk plays. When these two share a field, the game often tilts on who finishes drives and who blinks in the red zone.

Recent history between the teams adds spice. Last season’s split—Baltimore’s dominant regular-season win and Buffalo’s narrow playoff escape—showed two very different scripts. The Ravens were front-foot aggressive in the fall matchup, dictating pace and field position. The Bills answered in January with situational execution and timely defensive stands. Expect both staffs to re-use what worked and cover what got exposed.

The trenches may decide it. Baltimore’s run game, with its gap-and-option looks, forces linebackers to hesitate. If the Ravens stay on schedule, they protect Jackson and open play-action windows. Buffalo’s defensive front, built to compress pockets and spill runs to pursuit, will try to win early downs and make Baltimore play long yardage. Third-and-7 is where Allen and Jackson differ: Baltimore wants spacing and quick answers; Buffalo is comfortable letting Allen extend the down with his legs and late throws.

Explosives vs. turnovers is the hidden battle. The Bills thrive when Allen hits two or three vertical shots a game. The Ravens flip games with ball skills and disguised pressures. One tipped pass or a forced fumble on a QB scramble can swing the whole night.

Special teams always matter in Western New York. Even early in the season, wind at Highmark Stadium can turn field goals into coin flips and punts into hidden yardage. The Ravens are usually among the NFL’s sharpest in the kicking game. Buffalo’s coverage and return units are improved and can flip the field if Baltimore gets loose with directional kicking.

Coaching is a heavyweight fight too: John Harbaugh’s game management and situational calls vs. Sean McDermott’s defensive adjustments and fourth-down calculus. Expect both to be aggressive early; each knows the other won’t hand over free possessions.

Roster notes to monitor: inactives post 90 minutes before kickoff, and that list often reshapes matchups—especially at cornerback, tackle, and the back end of receiver rotations. If either team is thin at tackle, expect more quick game and chips. If a top corner sits, you’ll see offenses hunt matchups immediately.

Context matters: Baltimore opens its 30th NFL season on the road, a tidy milestone and a reminder of franchise stability. Buffalo enters as a top AFC seed from last year, with expectations to defend their turf and start fast. Both teams see September as runway for January. That’s why you’ll likely see real game plans tonight, not preseason-lite.

Bottom line for viewers: if you can grab NBC over the air, that’s your cleanest free path. Otherwise, Peacock and live TV bundles are the legit streaming lanes, and NFL+ covers you on phones and tablets. Radio is a solid fallback if you’re driving or dealing with spotty Wi-Fi, just be mindful of those geo-restrictions. Kickoff is at 8:20 p.m. ET—give yourself a few minutes to get set up, because this one has the feel of a fourth-quarter classic.