The Baltimore Ravens welcome back two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson as they prepare to face the Buffalo Bills on the road. Jackson returns just three weeks after suffering a high ankle sprain, stepping into a critical juncture as the 4-3 Ravens look to bounce back from consecutive losses against AFC divisional opponents.
Let Lamar air it out
Although the Ravens have sorted out their center situation with Cam Jurgens, they will be missing rookie guard Vega Ioane for this matchup. Meanwhile, the Bills boast a strong run defense anchored by Ed Oliver and Deone Walker, while their pass defense struggles near the bottom of the league. According to metrics from SumerSports, Buffalo ranks tied for last in EPA per play, 31st in total defensive EPA, 30th in success rate, and 29th in EPA per pass play.
This vulnerability sets the stage for Jackson to connect with weapons like Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and Ja’Kobi Lane through the air. With sports.yahoo.com noting that the contest could easily develop into a shootout decided in the final minute, establishing an aggressive passing attack early offers Baltimore the strongest path to victory.
Throw different defensive fronts at Allen
Containing Bills quarterback Josh Allen presents a massive challenge, but the Ravens defense must generate critical stops to ease the burden on their offense. Reviewing the 2024 regular season meeting between these squads provides a blueprint, as Baltimore’s pass rush pressured Allen into one of his toughest outings by recording eight quarterback hits and three sacks while containing running back James Cook.
Baltimore’s pass rush remains a bright spot and can exploit Buffalo’s heavy reliance on under-center concepts by deploying stunts, loops, and delayed blitzes. Defenders like Roquan Smith, Trenton Simpson, and Kyle Hamilton will need to attack from various angles, force Allen away from his throwing arm, and secure their tackles.
Aggressive man DB play
While defensive coordinator Jesse Minter relies on his preferred zone scheme, the defense should lean into its proven strength of aggressive press-man coverage against Buffalo’s receiving corps. The Bills feature versatile weapons in Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman, alongside offseason addition DJ Moore, who enters the game after missing the last two contests and logging limited practices following the bye week.
Applying press coverage against this trio will disrupt Allen’s quick reads and buy the pass rush the vital split-second needed to turn pressures into sacks. The Ravens enter this matchup facing immense pressure to secure a win and steady their campaign following two brutal defeats.
