‘Buffalo’s young star quarterback is part of a youth movement at the position, as evidenced by the AFC’s remaining four teams. Starting for the Bills, Ravens and Browns are three members of the 2018 draft class — Allen, Lamar Jackson and Baker Mayfield — while 2017 pick Patrick Mahomes leads the defending champion Chiefs. The NFC, meanwhile, has three quarterbacks age 37 or older: Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Tom Brady.’
Archives for January 16, 2021
It’s Bills vs. Ravens vs. weather
‘Those ground stats have to be concerning to Buffalo, which ranks in the bottom third of the league (122 yards per game) defending the run. Indeed, the Bills gave up over 200 rushing yards in two of their three losses: Kansas City (245, which did not rely on Patrick Mahomes’ passing) and Arizona (217, Murray rushed for two TDs). In addition, New England ran for 188 yards while controlling the clock at Bills Stadium and might have won had Cam Newton not fumbled deep in Buffalo territory in the final two minutes.’
Take Five: Bills are right to be ‘pretty confident’ about containing Lamar Jackson
‘They did it last year and even if their defense isn’t performing as well as it did in 2019, the unit has shown steady improvement through the latter portion of the season. There were some breakout runs allowed in last weekend’s wild-card win against the Indianapolis Colts, but the Bills also were more concerned with not allowing Philip Rivers to beat them with his passing arm.’
Bills linebacker Matt Milano takes defense ‘to another level’
‘The Bills hit the jackpot when they selected Milano out of Boston College with a fifth-round pick in 2017. The former safety turned weakside linebacker earned a starting job by the end of his rookie year and in four seasons has established himself as a dynamic contributor in Buffalo’s defensive scheme, developing into a fast, powerful and intelligent player capable of stopping the run, clogging passing lanes and pressuring the quarterback into mistakes. But it’s been difficult, at times, to bank on his availability.’
3 matchups to watch: Ravens at Bills in AFC Divisional Playoff
‘The Ravens will have a fast defensive back blitzing in a five-man rush drop defensive linemen drop back into coverage. It’s a fire zone, often overloading one side of the line, and it’s on Josh Allen to recognize an unblocked edge rusher. It requires the Ravens’ linebackers and safeties to adjust on the fly. The Ravens play dime (six DBs) a lot. They’ll play three men deep, three underneath (one fewer than normal for Cover 3) and have five rush. There will be mismatches to exploit underneath.’
Scouting Report: Josh Allen has gone unbeaten against top 10 defenses this season
‘Prediction: Bills 27, Ravens 24.’
Inside the Bills: Leslie Frazier has good reason to usually root for Ravens – but not this week
‘That’s made for an unusual week for Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, who will be going up against the team that employs his son. Corey Frazier works as a pro scout in the Baltimore Ravens’ front office.’
Bills Mailbag: Might Brian Daboll turn down a head coaching offer to stay home?
‘Ultimately, though, if he gets the right offer, I think he goes. It won’t be to the Jets, who hired Robert Saleh on Thursday. Daboll and Chargers General Manager Tom Telesco were at St. Francis at the same time. Full disclosure (as if you didn’t already know this), but I am also a St. Francis graduate. I can tell you that the family atmosphere at the school is real. They would be comfortable working together. Daboll also would have a chance to work with quarterback Justin Herbert, who is coming off a dynamite rookie season and looks to have a very bright future. If I had to put money on it, I’d say that’s where Daboll ends up.’
Sean Kirst: In nursing home hit by Covid, Buffalo Bills are weekly magic
‘“He’s like everyone else,” said Pfeiffer, an occupational therapist at Father Baker. “It’s been a really long year, and the Bills – doing what they’re doing right now – just feel like what he needs, because everybody needs a reason to hope.”’
‘Who has more fun than Buffalo?’ Startup making old-school pennants catches Bills fever
‘”For a small Western New York business, there’s really nothing that can elevate your profile to a national level more than working with the Bills,” Oxford co-founder David Horesh said in an interview, adding, “You get to make stuff that the world sees.”‘
Erik Brady: Bills have chance to exact revenge for Bills of old
‘Not good. Buffalo, objectively speaking, had offered the stronger resume: the Bills were more successful on the field and at the gate. Among the factors that weighed against them? Chicago Bears owner George Halas carried a grudge from the 1921 NFL season, when the Buffalo All-Americans alleged that he had stolen a championship from them – which is kind of crazy, when you think about it, because the bad feelings should have been all on Buffalo’s side.’
Voice of the Fan: Bills are making impossible seem possible, with more to come
‘The 6,7000 rowdy, raucous fans in Bills Stadium seemed, and sometimes sounded, like tenfold that. Mostly well-dressed in Zubaz and war paint, and well-behaved, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the same will be allowed this week. Bills Mafia watching on TV around the world held their collective breath on the last play and then exhaled, exhilarated.’
Ravens present Bills with massive challenge in AFC divisional playoff game
‘My pick: Bills 24, Ravens 23.’
Beyond Allen and Diggs, these 6 Buffalo Bills need to have big games vs. Ravens
‘No one can argue that Edmunds isn’t one of the best athletes on the team, a physical freak at 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds. In this game, Edmunds will need every ounce of that athleticism because there will be several plays where he’s going to need to make a play on Lamar Jackson, and if he fails, bad things might happen.’
Famous Buffalo Bills fans share their enthusiasm on social media
‘A fashion model born and raised in the 716, you may have seen White strutting her stuff on the Victoria’s Secret runway, in Maybelline or CoverGirl commercials, or in her multiple appearances in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition.’
Buffalo Bills elevate RB Antonio Williams, CB Dane Jackson from practice squad vs. Ravens
‘Just because the two players were elevated doesn’t mean they’ll be active. The Bills have until 90 minutes before kickoff to determine which players they will activate for the game. Buffalo elevated receiver Duke Williams last week but he was inactive against the Indianapolis Colts.’
Can Bills’ Stefon Diggs and mom get last laugh vs. Ravens in divisional round? (5 things to watch)
‘Standing in the way of the NFL’s hottest team is… well the NFL’s second hottest team, the Baltimore Ravens. Buffalo enters Saturday night’s game riding a seven game win streak. Baltimore has a six game win streak. How they’ve won has been much different, but no one can argue with the success of either team.’
Buffalo Bills vs. Baltimore Ravens 2020: Preview, odds, predictions for Divisional game
‘Bills 28, Ravens 24.’
How to watch Bills vs. Ravens in divisional round: TV channel, time, live stream information
‘The Bills will have their hands full with Jackson. Although he’s far from a polished passer, Jackson does a good job getting the ball to tight end Mark Andrews and wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown. Buffalo will need to account for both players in the passing game, but stopping the run game will be the key to victory.’
To advance to AFC Championship, Bills must go through Jackson, Ravens’ top-ranked rushing attack
‘Baltimore’s rushing attack has been the best in the NFL this season in terms of yards per attempt (5.5), having done so behind a record-setting season from Jackson. After rushing for 1,206 last year, Jackson followed that up with 1,005 rushing yards during the ’20 regular season to become the first-ever quarterback to record more than one 1,000-yard season in a career. In 10 of the 16 games he has played this season, Jackson has recorded double-digit carries and has run his way to three 100-yard games – including a 16-carry, 136-yard effort against the Tennessee Titans in last week’s Wild Card game.’
Five takes: Allen, Bills look to punch ticket to AFC Title game as they go up against Jackson, Ravens
‘If the Bills are able to slow down the Baltimore running game, that will force Jackson to go to the air where his favorite target has been tight end Mark Andrews. Jackson totaled 2,757 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns and recorded a 64.4% completion percentage during the regular season, while Andrews was Baltimore’s second-leading receiver. In 14 games, the Ravens tight end totaled 58 catches for 701 yards and seven touchdowns while missing a bit of time due to injury. Andrews has four catches or more in each of his last seven games and will be a significant element of Baltimore’s offensive gameplan tonight.’
Kryk: ‘There’s going to be pressure’ on Buffalo Bills’ Allen
‘So, can the Ravens afford to blitz Allen as much as a year ago? Probably not. Martindale practically admitted as much this week.’
‘Win or lose,’ Buffalo Bills fans and Hamilton Tiger-Cats fans stick with the team
‘Polian, now with the University of Arizona, was Hamilton Tiger-Cat was an assistant to general manager Bob O’Billovich in 2008 and also helped coach the running backs. He grew up in the middle — and we do mean the middle — of the Bills’ greatest era. He essentially grew up in Buffalo while his father Bill Polian, 10 years in the front office, was the architect who put together the Bills’ four consecutive trips to the Super Bowl, although he was fired after the third one.’
Mike Preston: Ravens need ways to keep Josh Allen in check
‘That’s not a criticism of Allen, but a compliment. He can improvise like Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, but Jackson can turn a broken play into a big one with his legs while Allen uses his arm. Regardless, trying to defend both requires the same discipline as opposed to the standard drop back quarterback like Peyton Manning or Tom Brady.’
Bills star Stefon Diggs is ‘one that got away.’ What did the Ravens and the NFL miss?
‘In interviews this week with friends and former coaches ahead of the NFL’s divisional-round playoffs, a pre-draft portrait of Diggs emerged: self-assured, athletically gifted, respectful, dedicated to his craft. The Diggs of 2015 they describe is in many ways the Diggs the NFL couldn’t stop in 2020, the record-breaking star whom Harbaugh jokingly called “Ravens enemy No. 1” inside Bills Stadium on Saturday night.’
Through 3 seasons, Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen are proving doubters wrong
‘“People always – just talking about Josh – say, ‘His big arm,’ but he’s doing it all out there,” Jackson said. “He’s getting out of the pocket, taking advantage of what the defense gives him, throwing the ball on a rope, and he’s slinging the ball, like a Patrick Mahomes. He’s just helping his team out a lot. He’s one of the key reasons they’re putting up so many points and winning games. Hats off to Josh, because he’s been doing it since his rookie season.”’
Buffalo has been waiting a long time for Josh Allen
‘The voice of Bills John Murphy takes us through how the franchise evolved from the exit of Rex Ryan to now just two wins away from the Super Bowl.’
Saturday’s Baltimore Coverage
Mike Preston: Ravens need ways to keep Josh Allen in check (Baltimore Sun)
Bills star Stefon Diggs is ‘one that got away.’ What did the Ravens and the NFL miss? (Baltimore Sun)
Ravens vs. Bills scouting report for the AFC divisional round: Who has the edge? (Baltimore Sun)
Ravens vs. Bills staff picks: Who will win Saturday night’s divisional-round game at Bills Stadium? (Baltimore Sun)
Ravens elevate QB Tyler Huntley, CB Pierre Desir for divisional-round game vs. Bills (Baltimore Sun)
For Baltimore Ravens’ Patrick Queen, history of big-game success goes way back (Harrisburg Patriot News)
5 Baltimore Ravens boxes to check to beat Buffalo Bills in AFC divisional round (Harrisburg Patriot News)
Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills in NFL playoffs: Betting lines, TV channel and more (Harrisburg Patriot News)
Ravens-Bills forecast: What the weather could look like during the playoff clash (Harrisburg Patriot News)
A 300-pound former defensive lineman has become an offensive playmaker for the Ravens (Washington Post)
Bills-Ravens weather forecast: Snow looking like a possibility for Saturday (Washington Post)
Why Lamar Jackson isn’t crazy about playing in the snow (The Sporting News)
Through 3 seasons, Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen are proving doubters wrong (NBC Sports Washington)
Lamar Jackson won’t talk trash, even if he hears plenty of it (NBC Sports Washington)
Lamar Jackson says he’s never ran full speed during a game before (NBC Sports Washington)
If there’s inclement weather in Buffalo, which team benefits more? (NBC Sports Washington)
The Baltimore Ravens take on the Buffalo Bills (WMAR-TV)
Stingy Ravens Secondary Tasked With Stopping Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs In AFC Divisional Round (WJZ-TV)
Ravens’ Mark Andrews: Despite Being Apart, Team Stayed Close Through Adversity Of COVID-19 Outbreak (WJZ-TV)
‘We Play Hard’ | Ravens Defensive Line Proving To Be An Anchor During Playoff Run (WJZ-TV)
‘Taking Advantage Of What The Defense Gives’ | Ravens Offense Hitting Stride At Just The Right Time (WJZ-TV)
Ravens’ Lamar Jackson Becoming More Vocal In Leading Team Through Playoff Run (WJZ-TV)
Ravens are no strangers reaching for Tampa on the road route (WNST-AM)
Buffalo has been waiting a long time for Josh Allen (WNST-AM)
Sizing up Saturday night: Ravens and Bills provide contrasts (WNST-AM)
Ravens-Bills: Five predictions for divisional-round Saturday (WNST-AM)
Lamar Jackson Keeps Winning As He Keeps Learning (BaltimoreRavens.com)
Pundit Picks: Ravens vs. Bills (Divisional Playoffs) (BaltimoreRavens.com)
Late for Work 1/15: Predictions for Ravens vs. Bills (BaltimoreRavens.com)
Everything You Need to Know: Ravens vs. Bills (BaltimoreRavens.com)
Ravens-Bills: Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen set to take center stage
‘“Talking about Josh, people always say, ‘His big arm,’ ” Jackson said, “but he’s doing it all out there. He’s getting out of the pocket, taking advantage of what the defense gives him, throwing the ball on a rope. He’s slinging the ball like a Patrick Mahomes. He’s one of the key reasons they’re putting up so many points and winning games.”’
William & Mary ties bind legendary coaches Marv Levy, Jimmye Laycock to Buffalo Bills’ Sean McDermott
‘But even McDermott’s success — the Bills are 14-3 this season and in the playoffs for the third time in his four seasons — did not make it a slam dunk for Levy or Laycock to root for his team last week. Both former Tribe coaches have multiple connections with the Colts. “Frank Reich was one of my quarterbacks during my days in Buffalo,” Levy said of the Colts’ current head coach, famous for leading Levy’s ’92 Bills back from a 35-3 deficit to a playoff victory. “I had difficulty watching that (Indianapolis-Buffalo) game last weekend. “When a game like that is over, I feel great for someone and I feel remorse for someone.”’
Former Alouettes coach Marv Levy cheering Bills on from afar at age 95
‘“You can’t change the outcome,” Levy said. “I have fond memories of them. Sure, it hurt then and it hurts now. Heck, we sure would have liked to have won at least one of them. Or all of them. We didn’t. We can’t change that. But it’s time to move on. There’s other things in life.”’
Canadian Bills fans revel in team’s success despite agony of being parked at home
‘Bills Mafia, the moniker for the club’s rabid fanbase, is alive and well in Ontario and Quebec with Bills Backers chapters located throughout the provinces. It’s estimated between 3,000 and 8,000 Canadians are season-ticket holders.’
Silencing critics: Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson has NFL MVP award, could Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen be next?
‘It’s not just that Allen has improved in 2020; that would be criminally underselling his ascension into the NFL’s elite tier of quarterbacks.’
Bills’ Matt Milano on Lamar Jackson: ‘We’re pretty confident in being able to contain him’
‘”We’re pretty confident in being able to contain him,” Bills linebacker Matt Milano said earlier this week, via Matt Parrino of New York Upstate. “You gotta be ready to rock, you know? He can make anything happen at any time. Being aware of him at all times is gonna be key for us,” Milano said. “We just gotta be sound tacklers. A lot of other quarterbacks could just run it up and they’re gonna slide or be one cut. With Lamar, he’s a very shifty guy. … You just gotta make a play. That’s what it really comes down to.”‘
How to watch Bills vs. Ravens: TV channel, NFL live stream, prediction, key matchups for AFC divisional round
‘It’s up to Allen, then, not only to manage the ball in what could be a lower-scoring, weather-affected battle but also showcase his trademark aggressiveness when the opportunity presents itself. When the Ravens blitz, for example, Allen can’t afford to stumble into turnovers considering the way Baltimore is capable of keeping possession for long stretches of time. But it’s his arm, above all, that needs to shine if the Bills want to best a run-heavy Ravens squad, so he’ll have to be looking to take shots when extra pressure arrives.’
The Bills’ Stefon Diggs trade gave Josh Allen exactly what he needed to thrive
‘Coupled with huge individual offseason improvements by Allen, Diggs has been the final piece to the puzzle, and he led the NFL in both receptions and receiving yards in 2020. It’s hard to think of a truly great quarterback without naming at least one world-class pass catcher alongside him. For Allen, that role is filled by Diggs, and with Buffalo chasing a Super Bowl berth, Diggs wound up being exactly what Allen needed.’
What channel is Bills vs. Ravens on today? Time, TV schedule for NFL divisional playoff game
‘Whichever defense manages to slow the other quarterback down more will likely be the one that comes out on top. Buffalo just lost rookie running back Zack Moss to injury, leaving Devin Singletary to carry a heavier-than-normal backfield load. Buffalo will mostly leave the ball in Allen’s hands to let him make plays. Jackson has better backfield weapons in the form of J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards, but Baltimore’s offense could hinge on the ability of Brown and tight end Mark Andrews to get open.’
How Brian Daboll and Josh Allen transformed their career trajectories together with the Buffalo Bills
‘Awkward mechanics, accuracy issues dating back to college and an unconvincing post-snap thought-process had paired with his robust physique in depicting a clumsy, over-drafted gadget quarterback to-be, whose only weapons were admittedly top-tier arm strength and modern mobility on the ground.’
Opinion: Ravens at Bills: Sal’s keys, notes and stats
‘The Ravens are the most blitz-heavy team in the NFL, sending extra pressure on over 44% of defensive snaps. The Bills have been excellent against the blitz this season. Josh Allen specifically has been terrific against it. The Ravens will have to make a decision. Do they continue to do what they usually do and bring a lot of pressure? Or do they elect to drop more players in coverage and blitz less, possibly giving Allen more time? If they bring the heat, Allen and the Bills offense needs to continue to beat it the way they have been all season, or things will get tough, quickly.’
Coach McDermott shows appreciation for Bills Mafia ahead of Saturday’s game
‘“I just can’t thank the fans enough for what they’ve done this year and their support what they’ve done when they couldn’t be here. To coming to the game like they did this past week and again this week. We felt their support even when they couldn’t be in the stadium and that’s been big for us as a team,” said McDermott.’