Divisional Playoff round: Ravens at Bills on Saturday Night Football

[Coach Tuesday]

6 minutes ago, CEN-CAL17 said:

Lamar had that highlight reel play. 48 yard run. Great...

 

Take that away and he throws for 179 1 int, and 75 yards rushing. I’m not overly impressed. Especially against a soft defense. The Tennessee fans I’ve talked too are more pissed they lost cause they couldn’t score more than 20 pts, not cause of Lamar.

 

I’m more impressed their defense shut down Henry and held them to 13 pts... that’s the highlight.

Lamar had that highlight reel play. 48 yard run. Great...

 

Take that away and he throws for 179 1 int, and 75 yards rushing. I’m not overly impressed. Especially against a soft defense. The Tennessee fans I’ve talked too are more pissed they lost cause they couldn’t score more than 20 pts, not cause of Lamar.

 

I’m more impressed their defense shut down Henry and held them to 13 pts... that’s the highlight.

Lamar had that highlight reel play. 48 yard run. Great...

 

Take that away and he throws for 179 1 int, and 75 yards rushing. I’m not overly impressed. Especially against a soft defense. The Tennessee fans I’ve talked too are more pissed they lost cause they couldn’t score more than 20 pts, not cause of Lamar.

 

I’m more impressed their defense shut down Henry and held them to 13 pts... that’s the highlight.

Lamar had that highlight reel play. 48 yard run. Great...

 

Take that away and he throws for 179 1 int, and 75 yards rushing. I’m not overly impressed. Especially against a soft defense. The Tennessee fans I’ve talked too are more pissed they lost cause they couldn’t score more than 20 pts, not cause of Lamar.

 

I’m more impressed their defense shut down Henry and held them to 13 pts... that’s the highlight.

Lamar had that highlight reel play. 48 yard run. Great...

 

Take that away and he throws for 179 1 int, and 75 yards rushing. I’m not overly impressed. Especially against a soft defense. The Tennessee fans I’ve talked too are more pissed they lost cause they couldn’t score more than 20 pts, not cause of Lamar.

 

I’m more impressed their defense shut down Henry and held them to 13 pts... that’s the highlight.

 

You can say that again!

[klos63]

33 minutes ago, nucci said:

well, everyone here is talking about it too. A couple of threads on it

But that's ok when we do it.

20 minutes ago, CEN-CAL17 said:

Lamar had that highlight reel play. 48 yard run. Great...

 

Take that away and he throws for 179 1 int, and 75 yards rushing. I’m not overly impressed. Especially against a soft defense. The Tennessee fans I’ve talked too are more pissed they lost cause they couldn’t score more than 20 pts, not cause of Lamar.

 

I’m more impressed their defense shut down Henry and held them to 13 pts... that’s the highlight.

Lamar had that highlight reel play. 48 yard run. Great...

 

Take that away and he throws for 179 1 int, and 75 yards rushing. I’m not overly impressed. Especially against a soft defense. The Tennessee fans I’ve talked too are more pissed they lost cause they couldn’t score more than 20 pts, not cause of Lamar.

 

I’m more impressed their defense shut down Henry and held them to 13 pts... that’s the highlight.. 

You don't get to take away 48 yard TD runs. They're significant.   Why not also take away his INT?, then he had no interceptions.

[Big Turk]

58 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

As others mentioned, Daboll tailors each week’s offensive philosophy toward the opponent specifically. I have a feeling the bills are going to see the same D Belichick put out there the first pats game with the 6 DBs and the Bills will run the ball a lot. Ravens have better talent on D than the pats but aren’t as discoplined on the second level. Ravens will invite them to run and aren’t great at stopping it. They also are very bad tackling team. 

 

Yeah, we have 2 of the worst tackling D's in the NFL on display this game.  Ravens have 2nd most missed tackles in the NFL. Only Las Vegas was worse.  Bills are 6th in missed tackles. Seems both teams employ speed and rally to ball methods for tackling.

[Big Turk]

43 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

 

 

Tre White is a freaking clown!!! Hilarious!

[RichRiderBills]

5 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

 

Yeah, we have 2 of the worst tackling D's in the NFL on display this game.  Ravens have 2nd most missed tackles in the NFL. Only Las Vegas was worse.  Bills are 6th in missed tackles. Seems both teams employ speed and rally to ball methods for tackling.

 

I did not know that. That may be huge w/ Diggs.

[YoloinOhio]

4 minutes ago, RichRiderBills said:

 

I did not know that. That may be huge w/ Diggs.

Especially if Marcus Peters is in coverage. I suspect he will draw Humphrey though. The thing to watch with Humphrey is that he has forced 8 fumbles this season. That’s insane. 

[SCBills]

5 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

Especially if Marcus Peters is in coverage. I suspect he will draw Humphrey though. The thing to watch with Humphrey is that he has forced 8 fumbles this season. That’s insane. 

 

Heard WGR talking about the Ravens forcing fumbles this morning.  I think our coaches can get into our WR's to make the catch and then get down in traffic... most of them do it already anyway.  I do worry about QB runs with Josh, because you know they are going to try to strip him in the open field.  Knock on wood, he has been better securing the ball in those situations.   

[Scott7975]

NFL playoff picks, predictions against the spread

 Game of the Week: Ravens at Bills (-2.5, 50 o/u)

Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET, NBC

This game will live up to the billing of being a dynamic passing and running duel between 2018 first-round quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen. The Bills' defensive weakness is against the run, which will allow Jackson, J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards to get going between the tackles and around the edges. The Ravens are solid against the run but, despite some having some good, experienced pass rushers and cornerbacks, they have lapses in pressure and coverage, which can expose them further with their frequent blitzes.

Jackson will do plenty of damage on the ground and Allen will have his share of key physical runs. It will come down to which quarterback can make a few more big pass plays off script. Jackson will see Tre'Davious White contain Marquise Brown, left leaning mostly on tight end Mark Andrews in a great matchup. The difference will be the Bills' Stefon Diggs, who can consistently get the better of Marcus Peters outside to boost Allen.

Pick: Bills win 27-24 and cover the spread.

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/nfl-playoff-picks-predictions-against-spread-bucs-solve-saints-chiefs-bounce-browns-bills-packers-survive/ar-BB1cFfZ3?ocid=msedgdhp

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

1 hour ago, YoloinOhio said:

As others mentioned, Daboll tailors each week’s offensive philosophy toward the opponent specifically. I have a feeling the bills are going to see the same D Belichick put out there the first pats game with the 6 DBs and the Bills will run the ball a lot. Ravens have better talent on D than the pats but aren’t as discoplined on the second level. Ravens will invite them to run and aren’t great at stopping it. They also are very bad tackling team. 

If that is the case, get Dubya activated!!! 

[YoloinOhio]

 

 

 

 

 

 

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

 

 

 

 

[YoloinOhio]

 

 

[eball]

1 hour ago, Buffalo4Life01 said:

it was early in the season but KC waitedon a ton of long developing routes and capitalized on several of them.  Is their o.line a lot better than ours?

 

I didn't watch that game so I'll take your word for it.  I'd have to assume they gave Mahomes enough time.

[IBTG81]

2 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

As others mentioned, Daboll tailors each week’s offensive philosophy toward the opponent specifically. I have a feeling the bills are going to see the same D Belichick put out there the first pats game with the 6 DBs and the Bills will run the ball a lot. Ravens have better talent on D than the pats but aren’t as discoplined on the second level. Ravens will invite them to run and aren’t great at stopping it. They also are very bad tackling team. 

Couldn’t disagree more. The Ravens are awful when you spread them out and go 4 wide. Awful. 
We are going to see a bunch of that. 

[Stank_Nasty]

6 minutes ago, IBTG81 said:

Couldn’t disagree more. The Ravens are awful when you spread them out and go 4 wide. Awful. 
We are going to see a bunch of that. 

didnt i see somebody post a tweet on here that the ravens are ranked liked 20 or even worse vs 4 wr?..... and thats 4 wide in general. theres only a handful of 4 teams that have our caliber of 4 wide.

 

@YoloinOhio still might be onto something though. the ravens are like 24th in yards allowed per carry. 

Edited January 13, 2021 by Stank_Nasty

[IBTG81]

Just now, Stank_Nasty said:

didnt i see somebody post a tweet on here that the ravens are ranked liked 20 or even worse vs 4 wr?..... and thats 4 wide in general. theres only a handful of 4 teams that have our caliber of 4 wide.

 

26th or 27th. 

[Stank_Nasty]

Just now, IBTG81 said:

 

26th or 27th. 

right. running can be done on them though. yolo wasnt wrong. the ravens are like 24th in yards allowed per carry at 4.6. a good blend never hurt anyone... as long as the run game can actually show up.

[BillsFan619]

2 hours ago, RichRiderBills said:

Bills 7-0 versus top ten defenses

Bills 8-2 versus the top 15 rushing teams.

 

These stats, our prime time experience, and the tough schedule/ road to the playoffs formulate my belief that the Bills will prevail.

 

Bills had a tough schedule, played in an oven the whole year. Time and time again this offense came through and set the tempo. We did not just squeak by these defenses either, we at times shredded.

 

The Ravens are the best version of the tough defense, tough running teams in the NFL. I have a ton of respect for them, but they have also been inconsistent. LJ is electric and the kind of freak athlete fans love. That being said, I think looking at the body of their work they are a bit overrated.

 

To win, the Bills have to click on offense...they've got to crack the nut, and they did that week after week to good defenses. If the Ravens think they are going to see the tepid offensive team of 2019 that came within one John Brown slant of matching them, they are wrong.

 

On defense, the Bills dont really need to fully stop the Ravens. Our offense is better and can strike quicker. I don't believe the Ravens can win in a shoot out, or a comeback....some of the games we played we have given up huge yardage in the running game and total offense. We still won....in the case of Hail Murray, should have won.  The Cards game was far from perfect. 

 

A lot of things need to line up to beat the Bills. The Colts almost lined them up. Im not sure if it even matters if Josh is on. Giving up 450 yards offense and still winning, compounded by 163 yards in ST differential by poor field position was legendary. While we can't do this every week, it still blows my mind.

 

After last week, i expect the defense to play better. I expect special teams to play better and i think the flow of the game on the Bills side is going to be fast and furious, and i think it may be a finest hour. I trust our coach, our QB and players, and I trust the process.

 

 

Thanks for sharing. I know anything could happen, but I’ve seen a couple stats (the record stat you mentioned and the Ravens not being good against 4 WRs) that are very encouraging in regards to the Bills winning this game.

 

We’re a really good, battle tested team. This could be an advantage to us on Saturday.

 

Go Bills!

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

Not sure you all have seen today’s Christian Wade interview of Tre. To me, the craziest thing about the interview was the clip of Josh Norman literally jumping over a bull. It’s nuts; about 1:20 in:

 

https://www.buffalobills.com/video/coffee-with-the-bills-christian-wade-and-tre-davious-white

 

[YoloinOhio]

 

[SCBills]

Seems pretty clear that we will go 4 wide with Diggs-Brown-Beasley-Davis and McKenzie mixed in (if all are healthy).  Heavy dose of Singletary as the back with Yeldon(?) mixed in for a breather.  Knox/Smith used situationally. 

 

If we go that route, as it seems we should, the only thing that could get us out of it is if our guys don't win their battles quick enough and the Ravens keep sending heat that gets home.  

 

Of course, if Allen can extend plays, we could see fireworks down the field.  

 

Going to be a really interesting matchup.

[TheFunPolice]

Lamar does the same thing so manty times a game: roll out to the right... roll.. roll... then right at the sideline throw it to a WR on the edge.

 

I predict he does that but throws an INT this Saturday!

[YoloinOhio]

 

 

[Success]

11 minutes ago, TheFunPolice said:

Lamar does the same thing so manty times a game: roll out to the right... roll.. roll... then right at the sideline throw it to a WR on the edge.

 

I predict he does that but throws an INT this Saturday!

 

It seems predictable when you watch them play, but he's so elusive and can also turn those into big runs if he spots a hole.  I'm really curious to see how we defend him.

 

We're really going to need that INT, or a couple of them.  This game feels like one that will be decided by the turnover battle.

 

[wjag]

9 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

 

 

Williams and Stills are getting closer to getting in the game.

 

[YoloinOhio]

 

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

16 minutes ago, SCBills said:

Seems pretty clear that we will go 4 wide with Diggs-Brown-Beasley-Davis and McKenzie mixed in (if all are healthy).  Heavy dose of Singletary as the back with Yeldon(?) mixed in for a breather.  Knox/Smith used situationally. 

 

If we go that route, as it seems we should, the only thing that could get us out of it is if our guys don't win their battles quick enough and the Ravens keep sending heat that gets home.  

 

Of course, if Allen can extend plays, we could see fireworks down the field.  

 

Going to be a really interesting matchup.

I think the critical guys this game will be Davis or Brown or McKenzie. Ravens have 3 solid corners— but I think the 4 and 5 receivers will get some opportunities. 

[Rhode Island Red]

2 minutes ago, wjag said:

Williams and Stills are getting closer to getting in the game.

 

I would be surprised if AW didn’t get elevated, and more than a little disappointed if Stills did.  Humble opinion, of course...

[YoloinOhio]

 

[YoloinOhio]

 

 

 

[Boatdrinks]

Disappointed at a Stills call up ? Strange. This is matchup football in a game to advance to the Conference Championship. I will not be disappointed in any additional players the Bills decide to call up. We’ve waited for a game like this for years. Winning it is all that matters. 

[YoloinOhio]

 

[Rhode Island Red]

31 minutes ago, Boatdrinks said:

Disappointed at a Stills call up ? Strange. This is matchup football in a game to advance to the Conference Championship. I will not be disappointed in any additional players the Bills decide to call up. We’ve waited for a game like this for years. Winning it is all that matters. 

Antonio Williams has practiced with us a good portion of the season, showed some moxie vs. the Fish, and we need a RB (all the best, Zack), especially one that might well have more luck against the Ravens’ Dline than TJ.

 

Stills just got here, and, for whatever reason(s), didn’t exactly light it up at his last stop. Potentially a capable addition to the squad in an emergency this month, and may fit into the mix at WR next year.

 

 

Edited January 13, 2021 by Rhode Island Red

[sven233]

The more I look at this game and watch Jackson, there are definitely things we can take advantage of if we do the right things.  I'm not sure if it is his throwing motion, or his mechanics, or something else, but there are times if you can get in his face and force him to throw, especially while moving, that he will throw the ball a little high fairly often.  If our coverage is tight on the back end, I think we may be able to force a couple of turnovers Saturday. 

 

The more I think about this game, here is a basic idea of what I do on defense. 

 

My goal is to contain Jackson early and give our offense a few chances to jump out to an early lead.  That said, I am utilizing some faster, quicker players to shadow Jackson and mixing up who that may be on every play.  I am confident Tre will take away whoever he is covering in this game.  I think Milano and Edmunds can do a good enough job on Andrews and the other TEs they may have and I think you can play one high safety most of the time and be just fine.  I know that TEs killed us last week, but there is no doubt in my mid that Rivers us a better, more accurate thrower than Jackson is.  Rivers was pinpoint on a ton of throws last week.  Very rarely do I see Jackson beating teams by throwing darts to the perfect spots.  He may know where to go with the ball, but he is not as pinpoint as other QBs with his throws.  That alone will help us slow down the TEs better this week than last.

 

With our safeties being interchangeable, and with a really good tackling CB in Johnson, I am bringing a lot of guys into the box completely disguising who will be acting as the "spy" on any given play.  It could be Hyde, Poyer, Johnson, Edmunds, or Milano on any given play, but I am using a mix of them and their sole job is to contain Jackson to areas on the field where there is a lot of "trash" he would have to navigate through to take off.  I want him having to think about where he may have an opening to escape rather than actually see it.  If you can slow him down mentally, you will in turn slow him down a bit physically.  As for our d-line, I am have out DTs get up field as fast as possible and while I want the ends rushing, I want them using more of a cautious rush.  If they don't beat their guy right away, I almost want them to slow down, and even fall back a little to slip into possible run lanes and be in position to attack Jackson if he decides to take off.  I would rather take my chances giving Jackson 4 seconds to throw the ball than a chance to hit a big run because we were overly aggressive up field.

 

If we can find a way to contain him early, I am hoping the additions on offense we made this year are good enough to change the entire dynamic of the game we played last year.  Last year, we couldn't score.  The Ravens knew this and were never forced out of their normal offense.  They were able to stick with what they normally do the entire game and they eventually hit 1 big play that won them the game.  This year, I am hoping if the defense can slow Jackson and that offense enough early, the offense can take advantage and maybe get up a score or even 2.  If that happens, and Jackson is forced to throw it more often, while he will have his success here and there, I think we can force him into some mistakes. 

 

I can't get myself to a point that I think we are going to roll in this game, or definitely even win it, but I feel better about playing them this year than I did last year and that's mainly because of our offense.  I think we have an offense that can force the issue a little bit and while I don't think our defense is nearly as good as it was last year, I think if the offense can put pressure on the Ravens offense to have to keep up, I think that will make up for some of the shortfalls our defense may have.  There are many ways to approach this game.  I outlined a couple things above I would look to do, but I do believe there are ways to contain the Ravens and force them to be something that they rather not be.

 

Go Bills!

[Pokebball]

2 hours ago, IBTG81 said:

Couldn’t disagree more. The Ravens are awful when you spread them out and go 4 wide. Awful. 
We are going to see a bunch of that. 

And add a TE occasionally...

 

Their MLB shows too early of a shift to help with coverage, Josh is up the middle for 10-15yds, or more.  I think the Raven's D has some significant challenges to deffend.

[RichRiderBills]

I just watched the extended highlights of both the Chiefs V Ravens and Browns v Ravens.

 

I think both are relevant as two possible scenarios. That Browns game ...woof....makes me rethink they cant keep pace in a shootout...but it was more of a track meet game.

[Success]

I've gotta say - after years of playing against Brady, who would burn you EVERY time you tried to blitz, it's cool to be on the other side of it.  Allen has quietly become one of the top QB's against the blitz. 

 

I love the thought of a team trying to blitz us now.  Allen knows how to read it & adjust to it, our line knows how to block it, and with our receivers, it will generally leave someone wide open.

 

 

[Penfield45]

1 hour ago, Success said:

 

It seems predictable when you watch them play, but he's so elusive and can also turn those into big runs if he spots a hole.  I'm really curious to see how we defend him.

 

We're really going to need that INT, or a couple of them.  This game feels like one that will be decided by the turnover battle.

 

 

we need to fix our tackling issues or Lamar will run for huge chunks 

[Logic]

I wish Moss hadn't gotten injured. We could really use a hard running, north-south player in the backfield this week. The Ravens run defense is quite vulnerable (last week notwithstanding).

While I don't expect Antonio Williams to be active due to his inexperience relative to that of Yeldon and Freeman, I must admit that his running style would be a welcome addition this week. His likely weaknesses as a pass catcher and pass blocker (I don't know this for sure, I'm only guessing, based on his lack of meaningful playing time) probably offset whatever contributions his powerful running would make.

Alas, I may have to accept that our "power runner" this Saturday will once again be the guy wearing #17.

Edited January 13, 2021 by Logic

[PaattMaann]

4 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

Especially if Marcus Peters is in coverage. I suspect he will draw Humphrey though. The thing to watch with Humphrey is that he has forced 8 fumbles this season. That’s insane. 

Humphrey goes and covers the slot receiver most times