The Baltimore Ravens are on an eight-game winning streak and if they win out, they’ll be guaranteed the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoff picture. While that might seem easy to do considering how Baltimore has played in recent weeks, they’ll get another big test in the surging Buffalo Bills in Week 14.
The Bills have been getting better as they rebuilt their roster. They even surprised many by earning a playoff berth in 2017. With their eyes on the postseason again this year, the Ravens are standing in their way and mark a chance to add a statement win to a pretty easy schedule.
To get better insight on what Buffalo has going for them and what to expect from this team this week, I say down with Bills Wire managing editor Nick Wojton to pick his brain.
1- Lamar Jackson gets all the attention but Josh Allen is no slouch when running the ball. How can the Ravens slow him down on the ground?
Like Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen is tough to bring down and is an excellent runner. Why I think Jackson gets much more hype is his running style. He’s so elusive it’s amazing to watch. Allen has some wiggle, but not close to Jackson’s elusiveness. Think more, a younger Big Ben. He’s tough to take down, and if it’s not there, he’ll take off and fight his way for yards. He’s just recently started sliding more to avoid contact, which is a great sign. So to answer, slow Allen down by taking him down. Don’t let Allen escape that first tackler, who’s often on him behind the line of scrimmage.
2- Buffalo has had a pretty easy schedule but they sit at 9-3. Is that an accurate portrayal of where they’re at or are they looking stronger thanks to fighting tomato cans?
Over the past two games this narrative, at least for those up in Western New York, has slightly changed. To your point, two games doesn’t make up an entire schedule, but over the past two games, the Bills offense has looked rather good and against good defenses. Sure, Brandon Allen isn’t scaring anyone, but after a slow start, Josh Allen & Co. pushed aside the No. 4 defense (at the time) in Denver. The Cowboys are known for their offense, but the Bills topped the No. 6 overall defense last week, too. Having said that, this is the point of the season many were looking at. Undoubtedly things get tougher down the stretch for the Bills as they’ll face three current playoff teams over the final four games (Patriots, Steelers) and… well, the Jets too. But I can’t knock them for beating teams they’re supposed to beat. Not in a Buffalo “homer” sense, but the amount of times this franchise has lost to teams they were supposed to beat over the past two decades, helping them earn a 17 season playoff drought, is remarkable.
3- The Bills’ defense ranks 3rd in yards allowed but have struggled a bit in the red zone and in stopping the run — two areas where the Ravens excel. How will they aim to improve there this week to limit Baltimore?
If I had the answer here, I’d be making a lot more money and employed by an NFL team. How can you stop Lamar Jackson? He’s an incredible playmaker. Over the past few weeks, the Bills have played a bit better against the run. But Zeke Elliot was having a big day and the Cowboys stopped giving him the ball once Buffalo pulled ahead. That was the case in a few of their other games of “improvement” as well. So that’s probably going to be the formula right there, the Bills have to score early in this one to make the Ravens rely on Jackson so Mark Ingram isn’t given the ball between the tackles as much. At times, Star Lotulelei, Jordan Phillips and Ed Oliver have struggled slowing down the rushing attack in the middle of Buffalo’s defensive line. But their pass rush is at least improving since the Bills have 15 sacks over the past three games.
4- The Ravens’ defense has played well recently but struggled with edge runs against the 49ers. How well does Buffalo run those and who are the guys to watch on those plays?
Comparatively, the Bills are more of a between the tackles type of rushing team. But in terms of getting runs to the outside, look out for two guys. Over the past few weeks, rookie running back Devin Singletary has become the lead back for the Bills. We love Frank Gore as the NFL does, but he’s Buffalo’s No. 2 back now and if he’s in the backfield, the run is going to go up the middle. Singletary has shown a good ability to pop runs to the outside that start in the middle, and he gets all the runs to the outside ahead of Gore. But along with Singletary, watch for Josh Allen. Like Lamar Jackson, the Bills design runs for him, many of which get him to the outside space.
5- What’s your final score and which Buffalo players have the biggest positive and negative impact on the scoreboard?
I think Buffalo’s defense keeps things interesting, but not interesting enough for a win. I’ll go 31-20 Ravens.
Positive: I’ll go with Cole Beasley or John Brown. These two guys have gone back-and-forth with surprisingly big games. Beasley has nearly 200 yards receiving over the past two games (there’s some fantasy football help for you guys, too) and Brown was the AFC’s leading receiving just a week or two ago, he’s still up there. Negatively, I’ll say Sean McDermott, almost in a, “what’s he supposed to do?” type of way. I mean… Lamar. If McDermott finds a way to shut him down, are we talking coach of the year candidate? That’s a huge ask of any defensive-minded coach.
