The Baltimore Ravens square off against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night, with the Ravens coming off their first win against the Cowboys last Sunday. While the Buffalo Bills are coming off a 47-10 drubbing of the Jaguars last Monday night, to move them to 3-0 on the year. Sunday night is a highly anticipated matchup as the Ravens look to keep pace with the rest of the AFC, while the Bills looks to stake their claim as the team to beat in the AFC.
Heading into Sunday the Ravens will likely be without left guard Andrew Vorhees (ankle). Vorhees did not practice all week and has been listed as doubtful, meaning another change along the offensive line will take place in week four. Other Ravens injuries include cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis (hamstring) who has been rules out, and center Tyler Linderbaum (knee) who has been practiced in full on Friday and is listed as questionable.
As for the Bills they will be without linebacker Terrel Bernard (pectoral) as he has been ruled out as well as cornerback Taron Johnson (forearm) who as also been ruled out for Sunday. Offensive lineman Tylan Grable (groin) has also been ruled out as he was placed on injured reserve on Thursday.
Players to Watch:
Trenton Simpson
It’s been a slow but efficient start to the year for second-year linebacker Trenton Simpson as through three games he has amassed just 14 total tackles including a half sack that came in week one against the Chiefs. Simpson’s role increased last week against the Cowboys and should only continue to increase as Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr feels more comfortable putting him out their regularly.
Sunday night should play right into Simpson’s skill set as he has not only been the teams most reliable coverage linebacker, but will look to slow down Bills quarterback Josh Allen and keep him from breaking the game open using his legs. It could be a breakout game for Simpson on Sunday and a game that takes his level of play to the next level.
James Cook
Through the first three weeks Bills running back James Cook has been on pace for a career year. In three games Cooks has racked up 188 rushing yards on 41 carries while adding three rushing touchdowns. While the Ravens defense will need to look to stop Cooks on the ground they will also need to keep attention on Cooks in the passing game. Cooks thus far has just eight catches, but 97 yards and one touchdown.
The Ravens have done a solid job defensively stopping the run giving up a league best 50 rushing yards per game. A lot of stress will be put on these Ravens linebackers to minimize Cook’s impact on the game, while simultaneously stopping one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks in Josh Allen.
Prediction
The Ravens defense will have their hand full on Sunday as they look to stop Josh Allen and the Bills offense. Allen poses a challenge for NFL defenses with his unique ability to run and pass, similar to that of their own quarterback in Lamar Jackson. Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr will have to adjust on the fly as he looks to stop Allen both through the air and with his legs.
Early indications show this game as a potential game of the year as two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL which will likely lead to a back and forth affair between the two offenses. While I see Jackson having an MVP like performance on Sunday night the current state of the Ravens defense makes me think it will be equally as hard for them to stop Allen. Ultimately I think the Ravens will have success on offense, but it won’t be enough as the Ravens defense struggles. The Bills come away with a 31-27 win overt the Ravens moving the Ravens to 1-3 on the year, with an important divisional game against the Bengals on the horizon.
Line: Baltimore -2.5
Over/Under: 46.5
All-Time Record: Baltimore leads series 6-5
Last Meeting: 10/2/22 Buffalo 23-20
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