ExtremeRavens Posted 12 hours ago Posted 12 hours ago Here’s how The Baltimore Sun sports staff views the outcome of Sunday’s AFC divisional round game between the No. 3 seed Ravens (12-5) and No. 2 Bills (13-4) at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York: Brian Wacker, reporter Bills 24, Ravens 20: One big difference in this game compared with the first time these teams met is the Bills having linebackers Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard and nickel cornerback Taron Johnson. That makes their nickel defense significantly better than the last matchup, when the Ravens ran all over them. Couple that with Brandon Stephens giving up a key catch, the Ravens committing a costly turnover and Justin Tucker missing a field goal attempt and Buffalo pulls out the win. Childs Walker, reporter Ravens 31, Bills 24: These teams share so many strengths, and the one that jumps ahead early will have a significant advantage in reducing the other’s options. That was the Ravens in September. They can’t count on smothering Josh Allen to the degree they did in that victory. He threatens a defense in so many ways without paying in sacks or turnovers. The Bills are also healthier than they were four months ago. But the Ravens were more explosive all season, and with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, they seem to present an impossible problem for Buffalo’s modest-sized defenders. They’ll batter their way to another AFC championship game. Mike Preston, columnist: Ravens 38, Bills 17: Both teams will try to slow the other with a strong running game, and it’s important for Buffalo to get a lead early to work the crowd into the game. The Bills haven’t lost at home this season, but unless they change up their scheme and get out of using their nickel package so consistently, they can’t stop Baltimore’s running attack led by Derrick Henry. In a 35-10 Ravens victory against Buffalo in late September, he rushed for 199 yards on 24 carries. The Ravens have the No. 1 rushing defense in the NFL, as well as the top rushing offense. That’s not a combination the Bills can deal with, especially this time of year. C.J. Doon, editor Ravens 23, Bills 20: This truly feels like a coin flip. Neither defense is well-equipped to stop the opposing offense, with the Ravens vulnerable against big plays down the field and the Bills light up front when it comes to stopping the run. Will Brandon Stephens or former Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White be able to hold up in single coverage? Will Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson put Buffalo’s defenders in a blender with their misdirection game? One turnover could be the difference, and don’t rule out the bitter cold and raucous crowd being a significant factor. In the end, it feels like the Ravens’ destiny to rematch the Chiefs in the AFC title game. Jackson wills Baltimore over the finish line with a gutsy late drive. Tim Schwartz, editor Ravens 34, Bills 28: This felt inevitable, right? It’s the two teams with star quarterbacks that haven’t reached the mountaintop, and only one will get their chance at, most likely, taking down the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs. We saw in Week 4 what the Ravens are capable of, and while the Bills are a much different team now, so is Baltimore. Lamar Jackson is playing the best football of his career. His counterpart, Josh Allen, is, too. But the Ravens are the league’s most dominant rushing team and there is only one Derrick Henry. He’s the X factor to me. If Buffalo finds a way to slow him, it will emerge victorious. But if Henry gets going again — he had 199 yards against these Bills in late September — it’s hard to see Baltimore losing Sunday night. Bennett Conlin, editor Ravens 31, Bills 27: It’s Josh Allen vs. Lamar Jackson, but Baltimore’s path to a victory goes through the running game. Buffalo couldn’t stop Henry in the first meeting, allowing him to rush for 199 yards. If Buffalo can corral Henry, the Bills can find enough offensive success to win. The Bills should pick on Baltimore’s secondary with wide receivers Amari Cooper and Keon Coleman, as the Ravens’ defensive backfield gave up an alarming number of chunk plays in the final 30 minutes of the wild-card round against Pittsburgh. If Buffalo can’t at least contain Henry, it’s hard to see the Bills (or any team, for that matter) beating Baltimore. And containing Henry has proven nearly impossible over the past few weeks. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Tim Schwartz at timschwartz@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/timschwartz13. View the full article Quote
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