Ravens Host Undefeated Bills Looking to Get Back to .500

The Baltimore Ravens (1-2) host the Buffalo Bills (3-0) in a Sunday Night Football primetime showdown (8:20 p.m. ET) from M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore and Buffalo (five each) are two of just four teams (also KC – 6 & Phi. – 5) to earn at least five playoff berths over the past six seasons. Since the 2018 campaign, when QB Lamar Jackson and QB Josh Allen were drafted by their respective clubs, only Kansas City (78) has produced more regular season wins than the Ravens and Bills (tied w/ 67 each).

The Ravens hold a 6-4 regular season series lead vs. Buffalo, including a 5-2 mark in Charm City. These teams last met in 2022, when Buffalo prevailed 23-20 at M&T Bank Stadium.

The Ravens’ 20-7 (.741) all-time record against AFC East opponents at home ranks No.1 in the NFL; Baltimore’s 29.0 average points per game in these matchups also ranks No. 1 in the league.

Betting Line: Ravens – 2 ½, Over/Under at 46 ½

Forecast at Kickoff: 60 degrees; 69% chance of precipitation; winds E 9 MPH

Tony Lombardi

I don’t have a lot of confidence in the Ravens defense these days. I’m hopeful that by the halfway mark of the season they get back to where they were last season and that they can somehow scratch out a (4-4) record by that time. We shall see. But until then, it’s hard to imagine that the 32nd-ranked pass defense can slow down the league’s highest scoring offense (37.3 PPG) and its highest rated passer (Josh Allen, 133.7 rating).

And by the way the over/under on these looks for John Harbaugh is 3. I’ll take the over.

• Lamar Jackson finally gets things cranked up with Mark Andrews. The pair connect 6 times for 83 yards and 2 scores. Lamar will also connect with Rashod Bateman for another score.

• Derrick Henry will not carry forward his momentum from the past two weeks. Buffalo will force the Ravens to the air by design, therefore limiting Henry to 13 carries and 42 yards.

• Kyle Hamilton gets an INT to set up the Ravens first score while Odafe Oweh and Nnamdi Madubuike combine for 3 sacks.

• The offensive star of the game for Buffalo will be James Dalvin Cook who gains a measure of revenge for his older brother Dalvin James Cook who was discarded this offseason by the Ravens. Cook will gain 85 yards on the ground and collect 4 passes for another 60 yards including two scores.

By the time the clock reaches 0:00 the Ravens and their fans will feel the frustration of another questionable officiating call and another fourth quarter collapse that results in a 3-point loss.

Bills 27 Ravens 24

Rob Shields

As of today, the most complete team in the NFL has been the Bills and Josh Allen is the early clubhouse leader for MVP.

Allen isn’t turning it over, is spreading the ball around and the offense is much more balanced under Joe Brady, who became the OC after they fired Ken Dorsey late in the season.

This is a tall task for a Ravens passing defense that has been giving up huge chunks of yards in the middle of the field.

Rain could also present a problem for the game although it’s obviously too early to tell that for sure.

Can the Ravens play a complete game? Can the offense move the ball? Can Lamar make the big throws when needed against a top team?  Buffalo is undefeated but the schedule hasn’t exactly been difficult either, so it could be a little fools gold on their part.

Buffalo has one of the best offensive lines in the league. It will be tough to get to Allen. But Allen is also not really beating you down the field either. So, rush 3 or 4, drop back 7 or 8, clog the middle and make it tough to throw and run it.

That being said, until the Ravens play a complete game, I can’t pick them to beat a very good team. This is a bigger game for the Ravens than the Bills but I still think the Bills play the better game.

Bills 27 Ravens 24

Tanner George

Just like last week, this game is essentially a must-win for the Ravens.

Taking down the Bills on SNF would move the team to 2-2 and right back in the thick of things as they enter a brutal stretch of midseason contests. Baltimore, however, finally has some momentum and will be looking to build on a performance in Dallas that had them looking dominant through the first three quarters of play. The message in the locker room throughout should be to finish strong, because you can’t really afford to do anything else against this undefeated Buffalo squad.

Look for the Ravens to smash the easy button again in Week 4, handing it off to Derrick Henry and letting him do his thing at least 18 times. The King will go for 100 yards on the ground and bulldoze into the end zone for another score against a Bills defense that’s allowing the 10th-most yards per carry. Lamar Jackson will top 200 yards passing, throwing one touchdown but losing a fumble, and Mark Andrews gets his first score of 2024.

The defense will look smothering on the Bills’ first two drives before giving up a long TD drive on the third. Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh will both get sacks, and Nnamdi Madubuike gets his first of the year. Nate Wiggins shows improvement in his third career game but gets beaten badly on a long ball from Allen. Marlon Humphrey will once again have sticky coverage as he continues his bounce-back season.

This one won’t be easy by any means, but I do see the Ravens escaping with a victory here. Coming off a much-needed win in Dallas and heading back to the Bank for a blackout primetime game will give this team the energy they need to take down Buffalo, and John Harbaugh’s squad improves to .500.

Until then, we’ll be waitin’ all day…

Ravens 24 Bills 20

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Brennan Stewart

Baltimore beat Dallas because it finally assumed its offensive identity in a run-heavy scheme. The Ravens reached a season-high 274 team rushing yards, with season-high contributions from Derrick Henry (151 yards) and Justice Hill (33 yards). The result was a 28-6 lead in the fourth quarter.

Now against its toughest opponent yet, Baltimore’s main focus heading into Week 4 needs to be keeping the ball on the ground and crushing the narrative about fourth quarter collapses. Buffalo’s defense is ranked eighth for the least passing yards allowed on average but ranks 16th in rushing yards allowed per game (118.3). For a second straight game, and just their second game thus far, the Ravens will finish with more rushing yards than passing yards. Neither Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely surpass five targets, and Lamar Jackson finishes with less than 215 passing yards.

A fourth quarter collapse is unlikely this time around, with Baltimore managing to keep the game as much of a nail-biter as it did versus Kansas City in Week 1.

Jackson’s record as a starter against Buffalo advances to 2-2 (3-2 in his total career).

Ravens 23 Bills 20

Kevin McNelis

The Bills are coming off of a dominant performance against a struggling Jacksonville team, but they’ll be locking horns with a Ravens squad that loves prime time games. Will we finally see Baltimore’s defense clamp down like we expected?

— Josh Allen wasn’t sacked at all in the matchup against the Jags, but he doesn’t get as lucky this week. Van Noy and Madubuike each record sacks and the Bills allow four total on the day. Unfortunately, though, the Ravens O-line is entering this one a little banged up with practice absences, and the Bills match with four sacks of their own.

— This has the potential to be a Keon Coleman and Dalton Kincaid game. The Bills can spread it around in the pass game, but I think you’ll see the guys later in the progressions be the ones to get the attention. Coleman reels in a touchdown for a second week in a row.

— Buffalo is going to stack the box because they don’t want to allow Derrick Henry to get it going. Baltimore’s offensive success will be hit and miss to start, but Lamar will start hitting his receivers more regularly with increased pressure toward the line, forcing the Bills to drop back. Then, LJ takes off running to pick up some cheeky first downs at the end of the game.

Buffalo will do their best to reel the Ravens back in, but it’ll be too little, too late.

Ravens 26 Bills 20

Ben Dackiw

A clash of two men who will be in the MVP race, Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen. We’ve now seen glimpses of how scary a Derrick Henry-Lamar Jackson rushing attack can be. Jackson looked downright surgical against Dallas, and I expect more of that Sunday night.

Lamar has looked more and more “in command” so far this season. Quite “quarterbacky” I might add. I think he tosses for a couple touchdowns, and runs for one more.

The blown leads in the 4th quarter are beyond tiresome. It was inexcusable in years past, and it’s inexcusable now. The Ravens squeaked by a very suspect Cowboys team, now they need to go up against an AFC contender. There’s very little margin for error here. Baltimore needs to make a statement in all-black under the lights.

I think they do just that.

Ravens 30 Bills 27

John Hughey

Following Sunday’s first victory of the season in Dallas, it’s time for the Ravens to start stacking wins. What better opportunity than back home in all black on Sunday Night Football, as Josh Allen and the Bills come to town. The Bills have looked good through three weeks, but the value of their opponents has been a little underwhelming. It’s no knock on Buffalo, this team can play, but Sunday seems like their first true test of the season.

— If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Derrick Henry continues his touchdown streak, picking up a red zone touchdown along with 70+ all purpose yards.

— Lamar has been consistent through three weeks under center. Lamar has his first big win of the season, tossing 2 touchdowns to go along with 325+ all purpose yards.

— The Ravens offensive line is coming into the week a little banged up. The Bills may have the deepest pass rush room in the league. Ed Oliver and Greg Rousseau pick up a sack each.

— Baltimore’s secondary has been quite vulnerable to begin the season. It’s got to change at some point, and I see this as the week. The Ravens force two Allen interceptions and regain the momentum they’re missing.

Ravens 31 Bills 28

Nick Polinsky

The Bills are coming off a game where they absolutely shellacked the Jags, but Jacksonville simply isn’t a good football team. This matchup brings together two perennial MVP candidates in a national spotlight, so get the popcorn ready.

The Bills have got it done through the air and on the ground, and Josh Allen and James Cook have proven to be a dangerous backfield duo. Allen has that same game changing ability the other elites of the quarterback position do, and containing him in the run game will be an important step toward victory.

The Ravens offense began to find an identity last week against Dallas. King Henry finally had one of those staple performances we all expected when they brought him in this offseason. When you run well with Henry, it also opens up Lamar keeper opportunities. When Henry goes, so does the rest of the offense, and getting Henry involved early and often will be key.

• Derrick Henry will run for 100+ yards on 5.0+ YPC
• The Ravens pressure will rattle Josh Allen, and will throw his first interception of the year to Kyle Hamilton.
• Opposing tight ends torch the Ravens over the middle of the field. Dalton Kincaid will record his season high receiving yard total, tallying at least 50 yards.
• Mark Andrews will double his season yards total, with at least 65 yards and a touchdown.
• The Bills commit at least three pre-snap offensive penalties. The Bank gets rowdy for primetime football.

John Harbaugh is 20-3 at home on primetime since his 2008 arrival. That winning trend will continue as the Ravens pick up a huge conference win.

Ravens 26 Bills 24

Jared Pinder

This is going to be such a fun game. The Bills come in as one of the NFL’s best teams, and matchups between Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson should always be in primetime. The Ravens’ defense has a tough task of stopping Allen, who is the MVP front-runner at this point.

On the other side, it will be interesting to see what the game plan is against the Bills Defense. They don’t have the squishy front Dallas had, so was last week a fluke, or are the Ravens trying to be a heavy-run team?

• Lamar and Henry have good days, scoring twice each
• The defense has a tough day against Allen as he throws for three plus touchdowns

I want to be confident and say this is a win, but i just can’t in good faith do that at this point.

Bills 32 Ravens 27

Chad Racine

I had faith in the Ravens last week after the 0-2 start. Now coming off a win, after the way they looked in the fourth quarter, I can’t say I’m feeling the same way. Watching the Bills Monday night gave me even less hope. Zach Orr‘s start is reminiscent of Mike MacDonald’s first few games and it’s going to take some time to get some issues fixed.

— Josh Allen will follow the trend of passing to the middle of the field. Both Dalton Kincaid and James Cook will have big days in the passing game.

— The offensive line will have a better day than the first two weeks but Von Miller will end up with two sacks.

— Lamar will pass for two touchdowns and run for 75 yards.

— Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely will be the recipients of the touchdowns.

— Derrick Henry will rush for a touchdown and just over 100 yards.

— Kyle Van Noy will add another sack to his stats.

— Kyle Hamilton will have a tackle for loss, pass defense and a forced fumble.

Bills 28 Ravens 24

Darin McCann

This looks like a tough match-up based on the Ravens’ inability to string together consistent play on both sides of the ball, and the Bills looking like maybe the best team in the league at this point of the young season.

It is. It’s a very tough match-up.

But it’s going to be a tough one for Buffalo, as well. For all the Ravens’ problems, and they have been plentiful, they are still ranked fifth in the NFL in terms of DVOA, and second on offense. The problem is the Bills are ranked first in both departments. But given home-field advantage for the Ravens, and a potential advantage I see in terms of the Ravens’ run game against this Bills’ defense, as well as possibly some opportunities in the mid-range passing attack, I think the Ravens stay with them throughout this game and we’ll have another indigestion-inducing final 2:00.

Here are some bold predictions:

• Derrick Henry goes for 175-plus yards in total offense. We haven’t seen much of it yet, but there have been some small glimpses of the Ravens attacking some of these crashing edges with lob screens to the running backs. Think back to that two-minute drill at the end of the first half against Dallas. I think Henry grabs three balls this week, with one going for a big chunk gain, and he will continue the dominance we’ve seen with him running the ball over the last six quarters of play.
• Lamar Jackson has an insanely-high completion percentage — over 75 percent. He’s going to complete several passes to his backs (see above), and I think the Ravens could have some success with mesh concepts and some YAC.
• Rashod Bateman will have himself a game on these concepts — going over 100 yards.
• Josh Allen will have a big night, but the Ravens will get a pair of turnovers from him. One will go to rookie Nate Wiggins.
• Justin Tucker goes 2-2 on field goals, including one from 50-plus.

Bills 31 Ravens 27

Chris Schisler

This is a game where I want to believe the Ravens will win, but there are some prickly factors preventing that belief. The biggest thing is that the Ravens have to play a better game than they’ve played all season to win this. Buffalo is rolling through teams, while the Ravens are 1-2 and almost found a way to blow a huge lead. The vibes are off despite the all black jerseys and the SNF setting. The Ravens will be competitive and they will have a shot to win the game. They’ll end up on the losing side for a completely avoidable reason like not having timeouts, missing a clutch field goal, or a high number of penalties.

The good news is here though because this is a prove it game. If the Ravens win this game and play a full 60 minutes of smart and solid football the ship is righted and the Ravens are legitimate. The AFC North isn’t looking stellar and the Steelers haven’t played anyone so if they lose nothing is over. This is one of the Ravens toughest tests.

Predictions

• The Bills will be determined to stop Derrick Henry. He only has 40 yards on the ground.
• Lamar Jackson will have 90 rushing yards and will carry the offense on his back with 220 passing yards and two touchdowns as well.
• Jackson will be sacked four times.
• The Ravens will keep it close with interceptions. Let’s say Nate Wiggins and Kyle Hamilton get the two picks.
• Zay Flowers will have six catches but only 55 yards
• Rashod Bateman will catch a deep pass for a touchdown
• Kyle Van Noy has two sacks but Josh Allen has 320 yards passing

Bills 31 Ravens 24

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Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2024/09/26/bold-predictions/buffalo-at-baltimore-sunday-night/