NFL Buffalo at Baltimore Preview and Pick

The 1-2 Baltimore Ravens attempt to hand the 3-0 Buffalo Bills their first loss of the season when two of the AFC’s elite collide in Maryland Sunday evening.

Buffalo is featuring the league’s best offense, at least in terms of scoring (112 points). Only the New Orleans Saints (103) have also reached triple-figures in points to date.

Quarterback Josh Allen found 10 different receivers in leading the Bills to a 47-10 dismembering of the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars this past Monday. Allen is obviously enjoying playing with a team that doesn’t care about the stats.

Baltimore, meanwhile, earned its first win of the season, 28-25, against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington last Sunday. It didn’t make it easy on itself, however, as the ‘Boys scored 19 points in the final quarter. 

Playing a 60-minute game would be unique, as the previous week saw the Ravens blow a late lead at home against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Baltimore is a one-point favorite (total at 46½), according to NFL odds.

The 12th all-time meeting (including postseason) finds Baltimore leading the series, 6-5.  

Buffalo has won the last couple (the under is 7-2 in last nine). 

Allen MVP Leader

Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen has been ridiculously good (634 passing yards, seven touchdowns, no interceptions) this season. Allen’s been so good, that as the regular season soon hits the quarter mark, he’s the 2-1 (+200) favorite to win the Most Valuable Player Award, as per NFL MVP odds.

Add those 85 rushing yards (two touchdowns) into the equation.

He even had the luxury of turning into a second-half spectator after some very good (263 passing yards, four touchdowns) behavior against the Jags.

Do not discount the contributions of running back James Cook (285 combined rushing/receiving yards, four touchdowns) in the early part of the season as well.

Feet Off Accelerator? 

Immediately after his team’s 28-25 win at Dallas last Sunday, Baltimore Ravens’ quarterback Lamar Jackson lamented about the conservative nature of an offense which has a 28-6 lead.

“Man, the game’s not over until it’s 0:00 on the clock,” Jackson (702 passing yards, three touchdowns, one interception, 254 ground yards) said. “I didn’t like how things were going towards the end, you know, I thought we should have put more points on the board, should have put gas on the pedal when we were up, 28-6.”

It’s unlikely the Ravens will have to worry about playing with a big lead in this game, especially if what was automatic continues to be somewhat adventurous.

Derrick Henry (281 rushing yards, four touchdowns) has fit in quite nicely in the backfield, while Zay Flowers and Isaiah Likely have a combined 28 receptions and 289 yards. 

It’s ‘Over’ Here

As was mentioned, the Baltimore Ravens have had their share of fourth-quarter issues this season. Baltimore surrenders 26 points per game, or 10 more than last season. What’s even more concerning is the Ravens’ opposing Josh Allen with the league’s worst (291.7 yards/game) pass defense. That’s nearly 100 more yards per game than a season ago.

Accepting the fact that Buffalo is going to have its share of success on offense, it’s imperative that Lamar Jackson find some holes in a Bills’ defense that’s allowed just 16 points/game.

Playing at home should help the Ravens as well against the team playing a third consecutive non-Sunday-afternoon affair. Expect some offense. Go over here.