ExtremeRavens Posted September 26 Posted September 26 Here’s how The Baltimore Sun sports staff views the outcome of Sunday’s Week 4 game between the Ravens (1-2) and Buffalo Bills (3-0) at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. Brian Wacker, reporter Bills 23, Ravens 20: The Ravens found their “identity” running the ball all over the Cowboys last week and should have success on the ground against Buffalo, which is allowing 4.7 yards per carry and will be without its top two tacklers, linebacker Terrel Bernard (pectoral) and nickel back Taron Johnson (forearm). Still, defensive tackle Ed Oliver and edge rushers Greg Rousseau and Von Miller figure to be problematic against Baltimore’s leaky front. Buffalo has also allowed the fourth-fewest points (48) in the AFC, has the NFL’s best point differential (plus-64) and quarterback Josh Allen has been, outside of Patrick Mahomes, the best player in the game this season. He will be problematic against the Ravens’ struggling pass defense — especially in the middle of the field — and will make life even harder on them with his legs. Childs Walker, reporter Ravens 27, Bills 24: These are two teams trying to take the last step to the Super Bowl, and they’ll present several matchup problems for one another. Can the Ravens impose their running game and keep Lamar Jackson from having to drop back too often against one of the league’s most formidable pass rushes? Can Josh Allen find open receivers early in the game when the Ravens flood the field with defensive backs, and can he hurt them with his legs? Both teams will want to play from ahead, but the Ravens will have the slightest advantage as they pound a wounded defense with Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson for a win that puts their season back on track. Mike Preston, columnist Ravens 21, Bills 18: I have believed in the Bills for the past two seasons and they always disappoint. Buffalo is just soft — way too soft. The Ravens could dismantle the Bills with a strong running game because Buffalo allows 4.7 yards per carry. They aren’t as weak or pitiful as Dallas last week, but Buffalo will be forced to stack the line of scrimmage and make the Ravens beat them by throwing the ball. Ravens guards Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele have improved over the past three games, but let’s remember the Ravens played the Cowboys last Sunday. Regardless, the Ravens’ brand of style is physicality and they should be able to wear the Bills down. I like what quarterback Josh Allen is doing with Buffalo. He is spreading the ball around and looks to be having fun after the team parted ways with disgruntled diva receiver Stefon Diggs in the offseason. Allen is having a great season despite his reckless style, but the Bills aren’t balanced enough on both sides of the ball to beat Baltimore, especially if the Ravens’ secondary shows up in the fourth quarter. That group has played poorly the past two games against Las Vegas and Dallas. The Raiders scored two field goals and a touchdown in the final 12 minutes of the game and the Cowboys scored three touchdowns in six minutes the fourth. C.J. Doon, editor Ravens 31, Bills 30: Maybe Buffalo is better off without Stefon Diggs? The “everybody eats” offense under coordinator Joe Brady has feasted this season, as six players have caught a touchdown pass from Josh Allen. Individually, the Bills’ playmakers are underwhelming, but as a unit they have been effective thanks to their complementary skill sets. Of course, it’s Allen who makes the whole operation sing. Nobody is playing quarterback better than him right now, and Baltimore’s defense is vulnerable as it finds its footing under new coordinator Zach Orr. The Ravens could wind up in a track meet against a banged-up Buffalo defense, but the question is whether the offensive line can hold up against a formidable front led by Greg Rousseau, A.J. Epenesa, Von Miller and Ed Oliver. This will be a true test for Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, who must find enough running room to avoid third-and-long situations and keep the ball out of Allen’s hands. And let’s just say now would be a good time for Justin Tucker to figure out his “technique issue.” This one might come down to his leg. Tim Schwartz, editor Ravens 35, Bills 28: What a fun matchup. The Bills were clicking on all cylinders Monday night, wiping the Jaguars out by halftime behind an MVP-type performance from quarterback Josh Allen. Buffalo has played stout defense the past two weeks, too, allowing a total of 20 points to Jacksonville and Miami — one bad offense, and one with a below-average backup under center. Neither are the Ravens, who showed more of what their identity in 2024 could (and should) look like: getting everyone involved early and relying on bruising running back Derrick Henry to hold a lead. But can the defense prove it can avoid another collapse, or close to it? That is still to be seen under new coordinator Zach Orr. Expect two high-powered offenses to go toe-to-toe in prime time and the Ravens to pull one out at home for a signature win that puts them right back into contender status after a disappointing 0-2 start. Bennett Conlin, editor Ravens 27, Bills 24: Baltimore’s win over Dallas was a step in the right direction after a disheartening 0-2 start. Sunday’s game against undefeated Buffalo provides John Harbaugh’s team a chance to affirm its place as a legitimate Super Bowl contender. While Buffalo’s offense has been phenomenal through three games and leads the NFL in scoring with 37.3 points per game, the Bills’ rushing defense has the seventh-worst grade among all NFL teams, per Pro Football Focus. Baltimore leads the NFL in yards per game (430.3), and its rushing attack is as dangerous as any in the NFL. The Ravens move to .500 by leaning on their backfield tandem of Jackson and Henry, just like they did in the win over Dallas. View the full article Quote
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