Perhaps you have heard. The Baltimore Ravens have a big one coming up. They've lost two straightand slipped to last place in the AFC North. That makes Week 8's game crucial. They can ill-afford to play the role of doormats to Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills
Allen has completed 66.7% of his passes for 1,504 yards, nine touchdowns, and four interceptions. He has also rushed for eight touchdowns, making him a threat defenses cannot neutralize by simply keeping him in the pocket. The Ravens must account for that challenge without losing sight of the players who can exploit the space and attention he commands.
Allen, however, can't be the only name on Baltimore's defensive game plan. Buffalo’s quarterback can wreck a carefully designed afternoon with
his arm, his legs, or a single broken play. That forces defenses to devote resources to containing him, but overcommitting creates opportunities elsewhere, and the Bills have enough talent to make that trade-off costly.
James Cook, running back
James Cook gives Buffalo a way to punish defenses that tilt too heavily toward Allen. He has 627 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 117 carries, moving the chains with efficiency and explosiveness.
If Baltimore commits extra defenders to Allen, Cook could find room against lighter boxes. The Ravens need disciplined gap assignments and reliable tackling to prevent Buffalo’s ground game from becoming the easier path to controlling possession.
Khalil Shakir, wide receiver
Khalil Shakir is the kind of receiver who can make a defense pay without needing a spectacular highlight. His 22 receptions have produced 290 yards, a touchdown, and 11 first downs. He gives Buffalo a dependable option to sustain drives, especially when defenses focus on taking away deep throws. Baltimore must close throwing windows quickly and avoid allowing routine completions to turn into comfortable third-down conversions.
Keon Coleman, wide receiver
Keon Coleman offers a different problem from Shakir. His 19 catches have generated 283 yards, three touchdowns, and 15 first downs, making him a significant threat when Buffalo needs to finish drives. Baltimore cannot let its attention to Allen create favorable one-on-one opportunities outside. Physical coverage and sound positioning will matter, especially near the goal line, where a single missed assignment can erase an otherwise successful defensive stand.
Dorian Williams, linebacker
Dorian Williams has recorded 46 tackles, including three tackles for loss. Add that to two pass breakups and an interception. His presence gives Buffalo a defender who can disrupt plays at multiple levels. The Ravens must identify his alignment and account for him in their blocking assignments, particularly when trying to establish the run. If Williams plays downhill without resistance, Baltimore’s offensive possessions could become increasingly difficult to sustain.
Greg Rousseau, linebacker
Greg Rousseau has been a disruptive force, recording six sacks, eight tackles for loss, five pass breakups, and three forced fumbles, along with 21 tackles. His production creates problems that extend beyond quarterback pressure. Baltimore must account for his ability to collapse the pocket, disrupt rushing plays, and create turnovers. Protecting the football becomes especially important when a defender can turn a routine tackle into a sudden change of possession.
Cole Bishop, safety
Cole Bishop has totaled 43 tackles, including 24 solo stops, and two pass breakups. His tackling production makes him an important last line of resistance against plays that escape the initial coverage or reach the second level. Baltimore must avoid letting him clean up mistakes repeatedly, especially if the offense wants to generate explosive gains.
Making the first defender miss is useful. Making the entire defense chase the same play is how drives become dangerous. The Ravens’ challenge is not simply to slow Allen. It is to stop Buffalo from turning the attention he demands into an advantage for everyone around him. If Baltimore builds its entire plan around one player, the Bills will have plenty of ways to make that decision hurt.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: 6 Bills players not named Josh Allen who could cause Ravens problems
