BY: JOE KONZE JR
Three more games and 12 more quarters. That is all that stands in the way of the Buffalo Bills and eternal greatness.
The Bills (14-3) play host to the Baltimore Ravens (12-5) tonight in an AFC Divisional Round matchup with a shot to play in the AFC championship game.
After an exhilarating 20-13 win over the Tennessee Titans last weekend, the Ravens are riding a hot six-game winning streak. The Bills edged out the Colts 27-24 behind the impressive play of quarterback Josh Allen (324 yards passing, two passing touchdowns and one rushing ).
With the game just moments away, here are a few things to look out for in tonight’s primetime matchup.
Last time they met:
The last time the Buffalo Bills squared off against the Baltimore Ravens was Dec. 19, 2019, in a 24-17 loss at Bills Stadium.
Buffalo was riding a three-game winning streak and receiving national attention following a 26-15 win at Dallas on Thanksgiving Day, and Baltimore was in search of clinching a playoff berth.
The Bills tried to stage a fourth-quarter comeback, but the attempt fell short on the final drive with just over a minute to go when Ravens quarterback Marcus Peters batted down a Josh Allen pass to John Brown.
Although the Ravens were held to a season-low 257 yards of total offense, and quarterback Lamar Jackson was 16 of 25 for 145 yards, his three touchdowns proved to be the difference maker.
Josh Allen finished the game with 146 yards, one touchdown and completed 17 of his 39 passes.
He said it:
“Boy, he’s done great. A long time ago … I remember him well, because he was here. We knew a lot about him and studied him. We just missed on him, too. Obviously, we could’ve drafted him up until that point, and we didn’t. I don’t remember the exact details of it, but unfortunately, that’s one that got away. But he’s a great player, great guy, local guy. [I have] all the respect in the world for him as a player. He’s definitely a factor. He’s … I don’t want to say public enemy, but he’s Ravens enemy No. 1 right now, or maybe No. 2, or maybe No. 3. They have a few of them over there, but he’s a guy that we have to keep a good eye on.”
Baltimore Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh on Josh Allen
Key Players to Watch:
Baltimore Ravens- Marquise “Hollywood” Brown
Since the day he was drafted, Brown has showcased his terrifying top-end speed, elite run after catch ability, and game-breaking potential. Last weekend against the Tennessee Titans, Brown caught seven passes for 109 yards and added two rushes for 19 yards. His slick feet and sudden movements can create a headache for the Bills defense this weekend and set up opportunities for easy completions for the Ravens’ offense.
Buffalo Bills- Josh Allen
Redemption is sweet, but revenge is much sweeter.
Josh Allen struggled against Don “Wink” Martindale’s defense the last time the Ravens came to town. Allen completed just 17-of-39 passes for 146 yards and one touchdown, was sacked six times and lost 41 yards and a fumble.
But Allen has improved significantly as a passer. In just 13 months, Allen became the Bills’ all-time single-season leader in passing yards (4,544), touchdowns (37) completions (396), and completion percentage (69.2 percent) and has completed 66 percent of his pass and averaged 7.8 yards per attempt against the blitz.
I think this time around, Allen will create some chaos and harass Martindale’s defense.
Key Matchup
Buffalo Bills offensive line vs. Ravens pass rush
No team in 2020 has blitz more than the Ravens. Their 45.4 blitz percentage–including the playoffs– is the highest in the NFL, according to Next Gen Stats, and it is expected that they will use a ton of 10 and 11 personnel.
But the good news is that quarterback Josh Allen fairs well under pressure. In 2020, Allen completed 66 percent of his passes, 1,800 yards, three interceptions, and has averaged 7.8 yards per attempt against the blitz this season.
If the Bills’ offensive line can keep Allen upright for most of the game and protect him, they should have no issues spreading it out and slinging it.
The Degenerates Delight:
@AlexShupe
Folks! You know I have been taking Dawson Knox the last few weeks for first TD scorer, and that train ain’t stopping this week. Taking him again. Another play I really like in this Saturday Night Prime Time game is John Brown Over 3.5 catches. You’ve heard all week how the Ravens’ main priority on defense is to stop Stefon Diggs. Good luck with that. I know Smokey was invisible last week, but the former Raven needs to have a big game to help Allen against this Baltimore pass rush.
JOHN BROWN OVER 3.5 CATCHES
@ProducerBers
Folks, I’ve had some recent success picking NFL playoff props. My favorite and, as of recently most profitable, was picking player touchdowns. Two weeks ago, I hit all three of my anytime touchdown scorers (Diggs +115, Woods +190, Godwin +140). I had a 1st Touchdown scored parlay (Knox 16/1 WIN, Lockett 8.5/1 LOSS, Antonio Brown 9/1 WIN) — but a Russell Wilson pick-six on a WR Screen was a brutal way to lose. This past weekend I went 3-for-3 again with Lamar +130, Kamara -200, Claypool +140.
Now… I’m focused on the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Sticking with the player touchdown props.
SCORE TOUCHDOWN ANYTIME:
Robert Tonyan (GB) +160
Marquez Valdes-Scantling +325
Stefon Diggs (BUF) +110
Josh Allen (BUF) +125
TJ Yeldon (BUF) +525
Clyde Edwards-Helaire (KC) +115
Nick Chubb (CLE) -115
Chris Godwin (TB) +180
Michael Thomas (NO) +120
Score FIRST TOUCHDOWN:
Dawson Knox (BUF) 16/1
Robert Tonyan (GB) 10/1
Follow me for more added picks and props for this weekend’s NFL PLAYOFF ACTION.
Prediction:
There is so much to like about this matchup if you’re the Buffalo Bills. Last season, the Bills were preparing for Lamar Jackson and this season, the Ravens are preparing for Josh Allen. The Ravens blitz the most of NFL team and the Bills have a knack for finding an answer when pressured. I think as long as the Bills can keep Allen upright and slow Jackson, the Bills will find themselves on the winning side of things this evening.
Bills 31, Ravens 17
Game Info:
Who: Baltimore Ravens (No. 5 AFC) at Buffalo Bills (No. 2 AFC)
Time: 8:15 p.m.
Channel: NBC
Stream: fuboTV, Sling, Hulu + Live TV
Listen:
Buffalo: WGR550 (550 AM)
Toronto: Fan 590 (590 AM)
Rochester: WCMF (96.5 AM) & WROC (950 AM)
Syracuse: KROCK (WKRL 100.9 & 106.5 FM) & (94.9 FM Utica)
The Sports Desk can be reached at editorialtrainwrecksports@gmail.com
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