Ravens vs Bills – Game Preview
Game Preview: Ravens @ Bills
Sunday brings yet another prime matchup for NFL fans to enjoy. Hell, this week has a few pivotal games that will not only be great to watch, but will have big stakes and will shape the AFC and NFC playoff pictures. But lets dive into our upcoming challenge the 9-3 Buffalo Bills.
First, let's take a look at the numbers:
Bills Offense: 17th overall
Rush: 5th (137.9 ypg)
Pass: 23rd (215.1 ypg)
Ravens Offense: 2nd overall
Rush : 1st (207.8 ypg)
Pass: 25th (212.9 ypg)
Bills Defense: 3rd overall
Rush: 14th (104.2 ypg)
Pass: 3rd (195.8 ypg)
Ravens Defense: 9th overall
Rush: 6th (94.9 ypg)
Pass: 13th (228 ypg)
After glossing over the team stats this already looks like its going to be a close one. The bills are boasting a top tier defense and a very capable rushing offense. The Ravens have the advantage in terms of Offense having the second overall in yard per game with 420.8, half of which is due to the having the best rushing attack in the league by a mile. But this matchup is great not because of solid team stats, but because of the face-off between two young, electric, playmaking QBs that are fighting for the number one seed in the AFC playoff picture.
The Ravens and Bills are both coming off of big wins last week and now the stakes get even higher. Both teams find themselves in prime position to put themselves in a great position with only 3 games left after this one.
Bills: Despite their 9-3 record are currently the 5th seed in the playoff picture. But, with the Pats losing to Houston last week and falling to 10-2, the AFC East is up for grabs and that makes the already strong Bills even more dangerous.
Ravens: With a franchise-record 10-2 start to this season, sitting at the top of the AFC and on a current 8 game winning streak, our tenacious beloved Ravens look to continue their success at Buffalo. With multiple playoff scenarios floating around this game and an opportunity to clinch a playoff spot this weekend, the Ravens are going to bring all they have to knock off the Bills and Solidify their position atop the AFC.
With both teams finding a plethora of success this season, they both have their young QBs and their amazing play-making abilities to thank. Allen and Lamar Jackson are the two leading rushers in terms of QB this season and combine for 5,123 yds in the air, 1,407 yds on the ground and 56 total Touchdowns. Lets take a look at this QB comparison
Lamar Jackson
214/322 for 2,532 yds
66.5 Completion %
25 TD / 5 INT
109.6 QB rating
140 attempts for 977 rush yds
7 yards per carry
7 Rush TDs
Josh Allen
225/366 for 2,591 yds
61.5 Completion %
16 TD / 8 INT
88.3 QB rating
93 attempts for 430 rush yds
4.6 yards per carry
8 Rush TDs
Definitely two QBs that are playing great this year, with Jackson as the front-runner for MVP and Allen leading the Bills to a tremendous 9-3 start. Comparing the numbers Jackson has the edge, but remember this is a team sport and both squads are going to need to win on both sides of the ball to claim Victory. Lets take a look at the Ravens' keys to victory in this one.
Get to Allen often and early
Its no secret that Allen can beat you with his arm and his legs. The key for the Ravens to control the game is to get Allen rattled early and apply alot of pressure. This is definitely possible, with the way the secondary is playing this year we can send alot of blitzes on Allen. Don "Wink" Martindale is a big fan of blitzing and he dials it up more than any DC in the league. The Ravens defense is definitely opportunistic. They have forced 10 fumbles, recovered 8 and scored 3 times on those this season. They have also had 11 interceptions, 2 of which were returned for TDs. If the Ravens stick to a heavy dose of blitz packages we should see some turnovers produced and maybe a rattled Allen early on Sunday.
Get Ingram and Gus Bus their carries early, open up the deep pass.
This one is a no-brainer, of course a big piece of our success is the run game and we have been the best at it so don't fix what isn't broken. The reason I state the obvious is because the Bills while having the 3rd ranked Defense overall, are ranked 14th against the run. Its important to attack their weakness early so that we can open up the pass and catch them off guard later. We all know a solid run game opens up the play-action and passing becomes easier. So with us committing to our stud RBs early we can hopefully get the Bills to crowd the box and gash them over the top with a big play to Hollywood or Roberts. Of course the TEs will get their fair share of touches as they usually do, and play-action will allow Andrews, Boyle, and Hurst to get some big plays over the middle. If we stick to this script, sprinkle in some Lamar highlight reel moves with both his arm and legs we should be in a good position to not only control the clock but wear down that defense and rest ours.
Play disciplined ball, don't beat ourselves.
Another obvious one, sure, but with an opponent as good as Buffalo the margin for error becomes extremely thin. Of course penalties are never good, and with this game it could come down to one drive, one play, or even one faulty penalty. So lets not be the one to make those mistakes. The way i see it, we definitely have the ability to win, just as long as we don't give Allen and company any extra. Same applies to the Bills of course, so its safe to say the more disciplined team will have a solid advantage in a game where both teams have the ability to beat anyone in the league and in multiple ways.
Prediction Time:
With the Ravens coming off a big win against SF, i have confidence in their ability to get it done in Buffalo, but this game will be a close one. As long as we play our best ball and having better weather conditions, we can extend our winning streak.
Ravens 31 Bills 26
Stats:
I think this is the week we see Lamar break Vick's rushing record and post the following numbers.
Offense:
Lamar Jackson:
21 / 27 for 280 yds 2TD
10 rushes for 73 yds
Ingram:
19 Rushes for 108 yds 1 TD
Brown:
5 catches 90 yds 1 TD
Defense:
5 Sacks
1 INT
Special Teams:
1 punt return for a TD (thomas)
Thanks for reading, and lets get ready for a great game come Sunday! Let's Gooo Ravensnation!!!!!
