The second game of the Divisional Round sees Buffalo Bills take on Baltimore Ravens and Ross Williams is focusing on rushing yards.
Baltimore Ravens @ Buffalo Bills
The Baltimore Ravens – fresh off a hugely emotive win over the Titans – are three-point underdogs heading into their Divisional Round match-up with Buffalo, but I don’t believe that tells the full story.
The Bills have been excellent this season, and Josh Allen has more than staked his claim for elite status, but the Ravens were my team to watch entering the Playoff cycle and their win over Tennessee only served to increase my confidence in John Harbaugh’s team.
Lamar Jackson is now officially over his post-season ‘slump’ and he’ll be licking his lips at the prospect of facing this Buffalo defence.
On paper, the Bills are great on the defensive side of the ball, and Sean McDermott has been largely praised for his coaching efforts over the last two years. However, the regular season numbers show that Buffalo actually fall well outside the top 10 in most of the major statistical categories, and the way in which Philip Rivers was able to carve them up in the second half last week is a notable cause for concern.
Baltimore possess the best running attack in the NFL, bar none, and I believe that gives them a huge advantage in a game that will be played in the cold, bitter conditions of western New York.
Buffalo’s rush attack has been far less consistent this season, and they’ll run into trouble this weekend if they’re not careful. The Ravens were able to wrap up Derrick Henry remarkably well last week, and that doesn’t bode well for the likes of Devin Singletary in the backfield.
The Bills will have to run the ball though, if they are to have a chance here. Josh Allen can make magic happen, but he needs a base to work from when he’s playing a defence as frightening as Baltimore’s.
Therefore, it wouldn’t at all surprise me to see Allen take his offence by the scruff of the neck and simply run the ball himself. We saw flashes of his work outside the tackles last Saturday, and it leads me to believe that Buffalo have been holding back their not-so-secret weapon for the Playoffs.
I don’t think it will be enough when all is said and done, as I truly believe Baltimore possess the more rounded roster and more of the confidence required to get games won in January, but I do expect big days on the ground from both quarterbacks.
Jackson ran all over Tennessee last week to tune of 136 yards, while Allen managed 54 himself. I expect more of the same on Saturday as the two quarterbacks – who are undoubtedly the future of the NFL – do battle at Orchard Park.
Best Bet: Josh Allen & Lamar Jackson to rush for 150+ combined rushing yards at 11/8
Prediction: Baltimore Ravens
Odds correct at 1430 GMT (16/01/21)
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