Buffalo: The Bills finished 8-8 (third place in AFC East) last year, in Rex Ryan's first season at Buffalo. Tyrod Taylor spent the first four years of his career as backup to Baltimore's Joe Flacco but was a pleasant surprise last season with the Bills, completing 63.7 percent of his passes for 3,035 yards (20 TDs and six INTs with a 99.4 QB rating) plus also rushed for 568 yards. The Bills led the NFL in rushing yards last season (152.0 YPG / 4.8 YPC) and have quality depth in the backfield. Rex Ryan has brought in his brother Rob to run the defense and we'll have to see if that will be for the best. The Bills had the second fewest sacks in the league (21) behind Atlanta in 2015 and that almost has to change for the Bills to challenge for a playoff berth.

Baltimore: Joe Flacco suffered a season-ending left knee injury Nov. 22 for Baltimore against the St. Louis Rams and the Ravens never recovered, finishing 5-11 (team was competitive in all but two of 11 losses). He will wear a brace to protect his surgically repaired left knee and is coming off a strong training camp and appears fully ready to lead the Ravens back to the postseason. More good news for the Ravens is that the team returns most of the playmakers Flacco's had over his past eight seasons. Also, the Ravens signed WR Mike Wallace to provide another downfield threat. Breshad Perriman, a first-round pick in 2015, is expected to make an impact after missing all of last season with a knee injury. Finally, rookie Chris Moore, a fourth-round pick, could also play a big role.

The pick: Baltimore is 0-7-1 ATS the last eight times laying points at home and Rex Ryan is 6-1 SU as a head coach in season openers, including five straight victories. Ryan was the Ravens' defensive coordinator for a decade and was a strong candidate for the head coaching job when the role opened up in 2008 but he was passed over in favor of John Harbaugh. He hasn't forgotten! The Bills are an 8* play.