Buffalo Bills: Latest injury news and odds for Week 1

Looking at the latest injury news and game odds for the Buffalo Bills, as they prepare to open the 2018 regular season in Baltimore against the Ravens.

A new NFL season is upon us, and Buffalo Bills fans are excited. This is understandable, with the team coming off their first playoff appearance since the 1999 campaign.

The excitement only increases, when considering Sean McDermott‘s disciplined approach — in start contrast to Rex Ryan’s circus — and an underrated defense. Throw in one of the best running backs in the league and the latest potential franchise quarterback, and Bills nation will be hoping for a second consecutive postseason appearance.

However, if the Bills are to do this, they face a tough road ahead, starting with Sunday’s game in Maryland. The Baltimore Ravens may have narrowly missed out on a playoff spot last season, but they enter Week 1 as favorites against their visitors.

As per Odds Shark, the Bills are 7.5-point underdogs for the contest at M&T Bank Stadium. Even worse, the average predicted score is 29.7-10.4 in favor of the Ravens.

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Buffalo has an all-time record of 1-4 on the road against the Ravens. The last game came in 2016, when the Bills lost 13-7 in a low-scoring affair.

One factor that won’t play a major part in this game for the Bills, are injury absences. As you’d expect for Week 1 — regardless of the preseason — significant injuries are at a minimum.

As per the Bills’ updated injury report for Week 1, the only player definitely out is Ray-Ray McCloud III. The rookie wide receiver did not practice all week, due to a knee injury.

Projected starting defensive tackles Kyle Williams and Trent Murphy were concerns, after missing the previous week of practice. However, both were full participants on the field this past week and will play on Sunday.

Linebacker Julian Stanford missed practice on Wednesday due to a nose injury. He did return on Thursday and Friday but was a limited participant, and as such is questionable for Week 1.

The only other player on the injury list this past week was starting linebacker Lorenzo Alexander. However, it was purely because he had a rest day on Thursday and he is good to go on Sunday.

Ultimately, the play of Nathan Peterman under center will determine how competitive the Bills are on Sunday in Baltimore. However — if nothing else — at least they enter the contest in relatively good health.

What’s your prediction for the Week 1 clash between the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens? Who is going to win, and why? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.