Why we will beat Baltimore on opening Day

[Da webster guy]

Its only 57 days away at this point.

 

We have a new O coordinator, mostly new Oline, some new WR's and we don't really have any idea who our starting qb will be. As concerning as that is, there's still a major advantage in week 1 as Balt tries to prepare for us.  There's no film to study.

 

In short, it will be virtually impossible for Baltimore to do anything else except try to scout our vanilla preseason offense, and hope to make some in game adjustments to keep up with what Daboll is doing.  

 

The Ravens Oline still has question marks at RT and center, and I expect Flacco and the team to be the same as last year.  They have the rook TE Hurst, but Lamar Jackson and the rest of their picks are non-factors when we play them week 1.   Collins looked pretty good running last year, fumbled some, but Dixon is back finally and he's going to compete for some carries there too.  Its a serious tandem but if we can handle Fournette we can stop anybody.  The knock on Morningwig is he hasn't established a real groove running the Ravens offense and I think that carries into this year.  

 

They do have dangerous special teams led by the Cyborg himself, GOAT kicker Justin Tucker.  The dude will make a 70 yard fg this year mark my words.

 

Overall I see the Bills defense playing the same game we did in Jax last year, going on the road and kicking ass.   The early spread has us as 3 point dogs, but the Bills win it 16-9 on solid defense, some surprise plays on offense, protecting the ball and grinding out a tough road win.

 

 

 

[Bangarang]

I like how you knock the Ravens for having unknowns on their o-line but consider the same problem an advantage for us. 

 

I’m anxious to see how our offense looks during the pre-season even if it is mostly vanilla.

Edited July 21, 2018 by Bangarang

[BakersBills]

The ravens have 0 offensive threats, their lineup is even worse then the bills offensively.

 

barring a qb meltdown by us, we should win fairly easliy. 

 

[stuvian]

The Ravens run game is suspect. I'm beginning to think Anquon Boldin made Joe Flacco. Since Boldin left Flacco's game has gone flat  flaccid

Edited July 21, 2018 by stuvian

[Green Lightning]

Let's see what we look like after TC. We have enormous question marks at quarterback, receiver, left guard, center and possibly we could be without Shady. I wouldn't make us a favorite against  anybody at this point.

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

32 minutes ago, Green Lightning said:

I wouldn't make us a favorite against  anybody at this point.

Not even 'Little Sisters of the Poor High School'?!

[#34fan]

Our O-line was unwatchable in the wildcard game vs. the Jags... Our  primary and secondary RB's are both over 30....We haven't figured out who the primary threat at WR will be, and we still refuse to upgrade our TE situation....  This team sets Quarterbacks up to fail at every level... I'll be happy if we score 1TD vs. Baltimore.

 

Edited July 21, 2018 by #34fan

[Playoffs?]

Is Shady playing?

[Chandler#81]

1 hour ago, Ridgewaycynic2013 said:

Not even 'Little Sisters of the Poor High School'?!

 

No, but we have a chance against Father Mulcahey’s School for the Blind. They had a lot of graduates after last season. Zey Jones’ ala mater!

[NewEraBills]

2 hours ago, stuvian said:

The Ravens run game is suspect. I'm beginning to think Anquon Boldin made Joe Flacco. Since Boldin left Flacco's game has gone flat  flaccid

 

 

It is?  http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?archive=false&conference=null&role=TM&offensiveStatisticCategory=RUSHING&defensiveStatisticCategory=null&season=2017&seasonType=REG&tabSeq=2&qualified=false&Submit=Go

 

Finishing 11 out of 32 is not suspect.  They did that without their best lineman in Yanda so no it's not suspect.  It's actually pretty damn good.  While I think Flacco is below average,  it didn't seem like Torrey Smith, Steve Smith and Pitta before being forced into retirement struggled at all.  They all played at Pro Bowl levels.  I have no idea why people think the game vs the Ravens is a shoe in.

 

If trends remain true, namely at the beginning of the season defenses are far ahead of offenses, I think it actually could be the most brutal game we play offensively.

 

 

 

Plus, they are playing at home.  At best I think we go punch for punch and lose in a 10-6 ball game.  At worse, I think we get shut out 13-0.

[John from Riverside]

1 hour ago, #34fan said:

Our O-line was unwatchable in the wildcard game vs. the Jags... Our  primary and secondary RB's are both over 30....We haven't figured out who the primary threat at WR will be, and we still refuse to upgrade our TE situation....  This team sets Quarterbacks up to fail at every level... I'll be happy if we score 1TD vs. Baltimore.

 

Baltimore d is not in the same reality as the jabs which is dominant

 

we win that game with defense

[Fadingpain]

Just remember, we don't have a starting QB until one of the 3 on the roster proves otherwise.

 

Tough to predict wins as a result right now.

 

 

 

 

[Tsaikotic]

1 hour ago, Playoffs? said:

Is Shady playing?

I don't see why not....his ex-girlfriend stating that she still "believes" shady had something to do with it is not proof of anything...until someone gets charged and points a finger at shady it's business as usual

[billsfan89]

8 hours ago, BakersBills said:

The ravens have 0 offensive threats, their lineup is even worse then the bills offensively.

 

barring a qb meltdown by us, we should win fairly easliy. 

 

 

The Ravens defense is very legit and although their offense isn't anything to write home about I think it is slightly better than what the Bills are throwing out there. It could seriously be a very ugly 10-7 type game. 

[Cornette's Commentary]

Why we WON'T beat Baltimore on opening day:

- Joe Flacco
- Terrell Suggs
- Hayden Hurst
- Mark Andrews

- Michael Crabtree
- John Brown
- Carl Davis
- Brandon Williams
- CJ Mosley

[John from Riverside]

14 minutes ago, billsfan89 said:

 

The Ravens defense is very legit and although their offense isn't anything to write home about I think it is slightly better than what the Bills are throwing out there. It could seriously be a very ugly 10-7 type game. 

Its interesting in my opinion the Ravens D is nothing like it has been in recent years....a huge part of their winning problem because they have banked on it......

 

 

14 minutes ago, Cornette's Commentary said:

Why we WON'T beat Baltimore on opening day:

- Joe Flacco So good they drafted his replacement high
- Terrell Suggs old
- Hayden Hurst who?
- Mark Andrews hardly a difference maker

- Michael Crabtree old
- John Brown a complimentary player
- Carl Davis who?
- Brandon Williams A good player
- CJ Mosley A good player

Not exactly striking fear in my heart....and their offense is horrid

[Talley56]

31 minutes ago, Cornette's Commentary said:

Why we WON'T beat Baltimore on opening day:

- Joe Flacco
- Terrell Suggs
- Hayden Hurst
- Mark Andrews

- Michael Crabtree
- John Brown
- Carl Davis
- Brandon Williams
- CJ Mosley

I would add John Harbaugh

[Green Lightning]

4 hours ago, Ridgewaycynic2013 said:

Not even 'Little Sisters of the Poor High School'?!

Depends, who is playing QB for them?

[stinky finger]

4 hours ago, Green Lightning said:

Let's see what we look like after TC. We have enormous question marks at quarterback, receiver, left guard, center and possibly we could be without Shady. I wouldn't make us a favorite against  anybody at this point.

 

Op stated we'd win, not be the favorite.

[Green Lightning]

1 minute ago, inaugural balls said:

 

Op stated we'd win, not be the favorite.

And that's a distinction you have trouble comprehending?

[stinky finger]

2 minutes ago, Green Lightning said:

And that's a distinction you have trouble comprehending?

 

No - not at all. Just clarifying.

 

 

[Green Lightning]

Well then I wouldn't pick us to win any game just yet. Let's see I'd we have a core comptence at QB, adequate fill ins at LG and center and receivers that can get open. Let's get a few weeks into TC at least. 

[Augie]

I think it will be a tie. 

[RuffMuff]

Because they SUCK and we dont........

[row_33]

9 hours ago, BakersBills said:

The ravens have 0 offensive threats, their lineup is even worse then the bills offensively.

 

barring a qb meltdown by us, we should win fairly easliy. 

 

 

So your line is the Bills giving 10 points or more to the Ravens?

 

 

[Billsfanatic8989]

Bills whipped the Pats in the 03 opener. We all know how that season ended up for both teams.

 

Last season KC beat NE in the opener.

 

Point is, opening day is always a crapshoot. I won't be surprised by anything that happens. I also won't draw any conclusions to any results from week 1. 

[BakersBills]

1 hour ago, row_33 said:

 

So your line is the Bills giving 10 points or more to the Ravens?

 

 

 

last i saw line was -5 ravens, ill bet bills all day with that, probably would be my best bet

[LABILLBACKER]

I don't know if we'll win but I guarantee you our defense will keep it close and competitive. 16-13 kinda game. Could go either way?

[Ol Dirty B]

3 hours ago, John from Riverside said:

Its interesting in my opinion the Ravens D is nothing like it has been in recent years....a huge part of their winning problem because they have banked on it......

 

 

Not exactly striking fear in my heart....and their offense is horrid

 

You just hated on Terrell Suggs, your opinion is void.

 

The game is a toss up and they'll both probably finish 7-9. Any Bills fan chalking this up as a win is a complete moron, it's a toss up.

 

We don't even know our starting qb, how could anyone definitively say we'll beat any team. This season could go great and be a surprise, or it could go worse than any of you homers imagined and be terrible.

 

I don't think they will, but they could go 2-14 with some bad bounces and close losses. They could also go 10-6 with some luck.

2 hours ago, row_33 said:

 

So your line is the Bills giving 10 points or more to the Ravens?

 

 

 

That post is absolutely ridicolous. The homers on this board make part of me want it to go down in flames to see how'd they react.

 

Now I guess I can relate to the EJ haters. I always wanted him to do good, but some wanted him to fail. And they were right in their opinion, this is how I'm starting to feel.

 

God damn it now I'm a stupid EJ hater.

Edited July 22, 2018 by Ol Dirty B

[richardb1952]

Many on here suggest the Ravens' Offense to be mediocre at best.  I would counter that argument with "Mediocre" for the Bills offense would be a huge upgrade over what is to be the expectation this  year with question marks on the OL, WRs and of course QB.  Ravens defense is very physical, something past Bills teams always seem to have problems with.  The game is an away game for the Bills with an new OC and a new game plan.  Remember, Bills made the playoffs because Ravens gave up a miracle TD, so Ravens not that bad and certainly play in a tougher division than the AFC East.  This game might very well be a significant Tie Breaker in determining play off teams at end of season.  (San Diego very well could also).  Best the Bills can hope for is the kind of game we saw a lot of last year.  Bills will need to win the Turnover battle, something not so easy now that TT is gone. Even FG kicking is a tossup at best.  It's a brutal opening 5 game stretch and this game might be there best chance of a victory.  If they can go 2 - 3 during that time, I will like our chances as the season progresses.  (I thought the same thing last year).  I just hope that when we finally get to play the Dolphins and Jets that these games will be meaningful.  GO BILLS.

Edited July 22, 2018 by richardb1952

[SoTier]

16 hours ago, BakersBills said:

The ravens have 0 offensive threats, their lineup is even worse then the bills offensively.

 

barring a qb meltdown by us, we should win fairly easliy. 

 

 

A "qb meltdown" implies that the Bills will get competent QB play from at least 1 of their QBs in the preseason.   Can I interest you in the purchase of a slightly used but recently rehabbed bridge over Chautauqua Lake? 

[Doc Brown]

5 hours ago, Ol Dirty B said:

I don't think they will, but they could go 2-14 with some bad bounces and close losses. They could also go 10-6 with some luck.

That's quite the swing.  I don't ever remember a 2-14 team watching a WC game saying, "That should be us out on that field."

Edited July 22, 2018 by Doc Brown

[Fr. Jerk]

Why we will beat Baltimore opening day:

 

[Jpsredemption]

This will remind me of Rexs 2nd season opening day vs Baltimore. Neither team can move the ball consistently but Buffalo is worse off at QB so we lose 16-3.

[eball]

Thanks to the OP for the first mention I’ve seen so far this year of the phrase “vanilla offense” — always one of my favorite parts of preseason as folks claim nothing we see is real. 

[Bob in STL]

14 hours ago, #34fan said:

Our O-line was unwatchable in the wildcard game vs. the Jags... Our  primary and secondary RB's are both over 30....We haven't figured out who the primary threat at WR will be, and we still refuse to upgrade our TE situation....  This team sets Quarterbacks up to fail at every level... I'll be happy if we score 1TD vs. Baltimore.

 

 

While I agree with the OL being a huge question our trio of McCoy, Benjamin, and Clay is decent if healthy.  Depth is an issue at all positions.  

 

The biggest question mark is QB.  With Taylor gone the whole offense is an unknown.  

 

Because of of all of these issues it may take several weeks of real games to get the offense going.  My expectations for the first 5 weeks are not high.  

Edited July 22, 2018 by Bob in STL

[Mr. WEO]

11 hours ago, Green Lightning said:

Depends, who is playing QB for them?

 

 

All of them at once, no?

[Ol Dirty B]

3 hours ago, Doc Brown said:

That's quite the swing.  I don't ever remember a 2-14 team watching a WC game saying, "That should be us out on that field."

 

My point was this team has so many unknowns. Between both lines and at QB. If it all works out and they hit on guys at a remarkable rate, they could be good. If they do average, probably 6-7 wins. If Allen and McCarron are awful and the o line is, then you could be looking at a 2 win team. They have the potential to be atrocious this year.

[RoyBatty is alive]

On 7/21/2018 at 6:29 PM, Playoffs? said:

Is Shady playing?

He is not hurt, suspended or in jail............yet

 

Edited July 23, 2018 by RoyBatty is alive

[eball]

On 7/22/2018 at 10:46 AM, Ol Dirty B said:

 

My point was this team has so many unknowns. Between both lines and at QB. If it all works out and they hit on guys at a remarkable rate, they could be good. If they do average, probably 6-7 wins. If Allen and McCarron are awful and the o line is, then you could be looking at a 2 win team. They have the potential to be atrocious this year.

 

Only if something extraordinary happens, like multiple season-ending injuries to key players.  I'll keep going back to what I've said previously -- the offense was bad last season.  While everyone else thinks the Bills will be lucky to score 3 pts per game, I think the offense will actually improve regardless of who is playing QB.  Don't underestimate the impact of the change at OC.  If the defense improves as it should the Bills are a minimum 6-win team, with the potential to win 9-10.