The Baltimore Ravens will take on the Buffalo Bills today in a much-anticipated Week 8 contest. Here are Baltimore Beatdown’s predictions for the game.
Dustin Cox
The Ravens have often responded with big wins in previous seasons when their backs were against the wall. That was with John Harbaugh at the helm, however, so we will have to see if Jesse Minter is able to rally the troops the same way. This game heavily hinges on how healthy Lamar Jackson is behind a shaky offensive line. If Jackson plays to the level
he was performing to start the season, then Baltimore has a legitimate path to victory on Sunday. The Bills defense has struggled against the pass, so Jackson and Zay Flowers could do some real damage through the air. If Buffalo is able to get quick pressure and Jackson isn’t healthy enough to evade rushers as usual, then it could be a long day for Declan Doyle. Continuing to scheme up easy plays to Flowers and letting him make plays after the catch will be needed to ease the burden on Jackson in his first game back.
X-Factor: Trenton Simpson. The Ravens defense will have their hands full with Josh Allen. Simpson has been one of the best players on Baltimore’s defense to start this season, and his speed could come in handy when Allen inevitably escapes the pocket looking to make a big play through the air or as a runner. Simpson tracking down Allen on extended plays could make a huge difference if he is able to force Allen into a quicker decision with the ball.
Score Prediction: Ravens 31, Bills 30
Nikhil Mehta
Baltimore’s secondary is already on skates heading into a matchup with Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson is back just in time to face one of the NFL’s worst passing defense. This could be a shootout of epic proportions, and it’s going to come down to turnovers. The Ravens have a poor record in that regard against the Bills, but Allen isn’t always careful with the ball either. Vega Ioane’s absence and Jackson’s still-ailing ankle will, I think, ultimately keep Baltimore’s offense from making all of the plays they need to in the fourth quarter, and the defense will be inches away from the game-changing turnover that never comes. This is an opportunity for the Ravens’ highest-paid defenders to step up and lead by example – can anyone deliver?
X-Factor: Nate Wiggins. Wiggins doesn’t fall into the aforementioned group above, but he’s extension-eligible next offseason, and he hasn’t proven where he ranks among the league’s corners. The key? Playmaking. He needs to use his speed not just to be sticky, but to break on passes, create turnovers, and maybe even rack up some return yardage.
Score Prediction: Bills 38, Ravens 34
Frank Platko
There is a lot riding on this game for the Ravens. While they aren’t necessarily in desperation win-now mode yet and can technically afford another loss, a victory would go a long way for both positive vibes and playoff hopes. A win over the Bills on the road could serve as a turning point for the team to turn a new page with Lamar Jackson coming back. Obviously, the Bills are going to get their share of points no matter how well the Ravens’ defense can play. Josh Allen and Buffalo’s offense is as dangerous as any in the NFL and they have an established offensive floor.
We’ve yet to see Jesse Minter’s defense really dominate a game from start to finish and exceed expectations. They were just embarrassed by the Bengals last week in the second half. How will the Ravens’ defense respond against another elite quarterback? This a “play for your pride” type of a spot.
X-Factor: Trey Hendrickson. The Ravens signed Hendrickson with the idea of him being the needle-moving pass rusher that can help the team close out victories. While he’s been playing through a finger injury, we’ve yet to see Hendrickson consistently make game-changing plays and convert pressures to sacks. The Ravens could use him to come through against Allen and make a big play or two.
Score Prediction: Bills 29, Ravens 27
Zach Canter
The Ravens are knee deep in “can’t lose” territory heading up to Buffalo. The Bills, much like the Bengals, are coming off a bye and boasts the best offense in the NFL statistically. They also have one of worst defenses overall, so it looks like this will turn into a shootout.
Under different circumstances, I’d probably take the Ravens. I think the offense is capable of going shot for shot with the Bills and the Ravens defense is good enough to deliver one more stop than the Buffalo’s is. However, Lamar Jackson is returning from injury and probably isn’t 100%. They are going to be missing their first-round guard Vega Ioane and the Bills are coming off a bye week. So, I think the Ravens fall just short in this one. The offense will have just a couple missteps in Jackson’s first game back, and the defense just won’t be able to do enough to limit Josh Allen to support the offense while they get back in rhythm.
Score Prediction: Bills 34, Ravens 24
