While most NFL teams will be in action in Week 7, two will be on their bye week: the Baltimore Ravens and the Buffalo Bills.
The break comes at a much-needed time for both squads, as the Ravens have dropped four straight and the Bills have lost their last two. Here’s a look at how each team’s season has unfolded so far and how they can use the bye to their advantage.
NFL Bye Week 7: Baltimore Ravens
Nobody could have imagined that the Ravens would be 1-5 through their first six games in 2025, but that’s precisely where they stand. The team has been ravaged by injuries, with superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson missing the last two and a half games and several key defensive starters sidelined for Baltimore’s Week 6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
The injuries have played a significant role in the Ravens’ struggles. Their offense has been bad without Jackson under center, ranking 26th in the league this season according to PFSN’s OFFi metric. The defense has been worse, sitting at 30th in PFSN’s DEFi metric.
While Baltimore’s playoff hopes appear bleak, the bye week offers a valuable break for injured players to heal and the team to regroup. Jackson is expected to return in Week 8, and with him leading the offense, the Ravens always have a chance to win. They’ll use the bye week as an opportunity to turn their season around.
NFL Bye Week 7: Buffalo Bills
After starting the year 4-0, the Bills have struggled in recent weeks, dropping back-to-back games to the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons. The bye week is perfect for Buffalo, allowing them to identify and correct the issues behind their two-game slide.
Despite the recent losses, the Bills remain one of the NFL’s top teams. According to PFSN’s OFFi metric, their offense ranks second in the league this season, while their defense has been slightly above average, ranking 12th in PFSN’s DEFi metric.
Head coach Sean McDermott and his staff should use the bye week to evaluate what’s been working and hasn’t. Even with two straight losses, Buffalo is still among the Super Bowl favorites, and the week off should help them reset and get back on track.
Bills Outlook After the Bye
The Bills are second in the AFC East, just behind the 4-2 New England Patriots. With Buffalo also holding a 4-2 record, they’re in a great position to win their sixth straight division title.
After the bye week, the Bills will travel south to face the Carolina Panthers. A win would snap their losing streak and help them return to their usual status as one of the NFL’s most dominant teams.
Ravens Outlook After the Bye
The Ravens sit third in the AFC North, behind the 2-4 Cincinnati Bengals and the 4-1 Pittsburgh Steelers. While they’ve managed just one win so far, the division remains fairly winnable, and if Baltimore can turn things around, a playoff push is still within reach.
>With Jackson expected to return for the Ravens’ Week 8 matchup against the Chicago Bears, a win could help them build much-needed momentum heading into the second half of the season.