Divisional Playoff round: Ravens at Bills on Saturday Night Football

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

1 minute ago, scribo said:

Is it Saturday night yet?

Haha.
 

sadly, I asked my wife whether it was Thursday two different times this week— both times on Monday. 
 

I saw someone on here posting about the game “tomorrow”— that was on Wednesday. 

[CapeBreton]

3 minutes ago, RichRiderBills said:

I have this one thought stuck in my gut; 

 

People are underrating our defense. 

 

I know some of the numbers from the season are a bit off, but i think they are better than the numbers and have a finest hour within them. I really feel like our defense is going to be the hero for us and bring it.

 

 

 

Our defense was quite bad up until our week 11 bye, they played decent D against the Jets both games but most of the other games were bad. We had a couple turnovers in games that really saved us (Norman forced fumble on Waller vs Oakland, and Zimmer forced fumble on Cam Newton).

 

Then after the bye we were solid against Chargers, San Fran, Pittsburgh, Denver, New England, and Miami. We pretty much locked all those teams down no problem.

 

They did not look good against the Colts though, part of this was probably due to the Colts O-line being very good. But I agree, our defense has actually been good lately and are being underrated just because of the bad game against the Colts. I think we can definitely stop Lamar too, that's all we have to do really, he cannot throw the ball.

[NewEra]

24 minutes ago, billsrul120 said:

Yea these are my thoughts exactly.  Why is everyone hyping up LJ and the Ravens when the Bills have the better offense with Allen.  Then we hear that the Bills have no running game and the Ravens will just gear up to stop the pass.  The Bills haven't run all year.  The offense has always gone through Allen's arm.  The defense on the other side has known this every game and he still lit teams up on a regular basis.

 

Over the Raven's 6 game win streak, LJ is averaging less than 21 passing attempts per game. 

Over LJ's first 10 starts, he averaged 27.6 passing attempst per game with only one game as low as 21 pass attempts and they were 6-4

 

The Raven's are telling everyone they don't think they can win with LJ throwing a lot. 

To answer your question, why?  I feel it’s because of matchups.

The ravens pound the rock.  The bills have had trouble pounding the rock.  

 

The bills strength is passing on O and have zero run game except for JA, the ravens have an extremely balanced D and are loaded with talented cornerbacks.  

 

The weather is expected to be 15-25 mph winds with higher gusts expected.  That hurts the team that can’t run and relies on the pass.  

 

the Bills defense couldn’t get off the field vs the colts and their old man qb that has never won a big game in his life.

 

the ravens beat the team that was in the afc championship game and had an MVP candidate in 2k rusher Henry.

 

the ravens have one of the most consistent franchises in the league over the last 20 years 

 

the bills have been a laughing stock over the last 20 years and their QB was a laughing stock for his first 2 seasons (according to most)

 

just my take on the matter

[Pokebball]

37 minutes ago, Bronxbomber21 said:

It just really hit me that if we win tomorrow the Buffalo Bills are going to the AFC CHAMPIONSHIP 🤩

and if we win tomorrow, go Browns

[Richard Noggin]

4 minutes ago, NewEra said:

 

the Bills defense couldn’t get off the field vs the colts and their old man qb that has never won a big game in his life.

 

 

For the record, Rivers was previously undefeated in Wild Card round games. 4-0 or 5-0 if memory serves. Ergo, we actually did something no other team has ever done before: defeat a Rivers team in the first round of the playoffs.

 

Just sayin

[Stank_Nasty]

The bills are 7-1 vs top 10 d’s and Allen has an average rating of 112 in those games. 
 

Im assuming we’re gonna move the ball. 

[NewEra]

2 minutes ago, Richard Noggin said:

 

For the record, Rivers was previously undefeated in Wild Card round games. 4-0 or 5-0 if memory serves. Ergo, we actually did something no other team has ever done before: defeat a Rivers team in the first round of the playoffs.

 

Just sayin

 

Yeah, I heard everyone talking about that.  Relatively speaking, the wild card round isn’t a “big game”.  Sure, we all know how important it is....but  no one cares, and it’s part of the reason that we’re getting frowned on. 

[Mango]

1 hour ago, AllDayLJ said:

Not accurate. It's the first time we're not favorites with LJ at QB.

 

When we went to Pittsburgh and had half our team out with COVID we were something like 10-point underdogs. Actually almost won that game, too.

 

Ah yeah, I forgot about that. I was just looking for a clean single source for their spreads so grabbed that from here. 

https://www.thelines.com/odds/baltimore-ravens/

[billsrul120]

14 minutes ago, NewEra said:

To answer your question, why?  I feel it’s because of matchups.

The ravens pound the rock.  The bills have had trouble pounding the rock.

This doesn't matter as the Bills have a prolific passing offense and passing is more valuable.   

 

The bills strength is passing on O and have zero run game except for JA, the ravens have an extremely balanced D and are loaded with talented cornerbacks.

Again this has been the case all year and the JA has continued to put up numbers.  I don't see why this game should be different.  It might be, but thus far Allen has shown the ability to pass all over supposedly great defenses and the running game has not been there all year.

 

The weather is expected to be 15-25 mph winds with higher gusts expected.  That hurts the team that can’t run and relies on the pass.  

This is hyperbolic. We'll see I suppose.

 

the Bills defense couldn’t get off the field vs the colts and their old man qb that has never won a big game in his life.

Rivers continually moved the chains on 3rd and medium/long with perfectly placed passes.  He also had 46 attempts and 27 completions.  LJ has never completed more than 24 passes in a game.  He is not capable of milking clock the way Rivers did.

 

the ravens beat the team that was in the afc championship game and had an MVP candidate in 2k rusher Henry.

AFC championship was nearly a year ago and doesn't matter now.  Titans were giving up 29.75 points per game on average over the their last 8 games going into the playoffs and that includes holding a terrible Jaguars team to 10.  Ravens got a solid 20 last week. 

 

the ravens have one of the most consistent franchises in the league over the last 20 years

Not relevant to this game

 

the bills have been a laughing stock over the last 20 years and their QB was a laughing stock for his first 2 seasons (according to most)

Again not relevant

 

just my take on the matter

I know this isn't all your opinion but the factors presented here weak sauce.

Edited January 15, 2021 by billsrul120

[Penfield45]

27 minutes ago, JerseyBills said:

We're a top 3 team right now. Am I watching a different team? This is crazy the disrespect ppl are showing the Bills on here

I never said we weren’t 

 

moving forward we can maintain that 

[SCBills]

It’s interesting to me, that with a week of (predominantly) Ravens hype, the betting line really hasn’t moved.  

[Penfield45]

I’ll be absolutely sick if we lose this weekend and the browns pull off the upset and then go on to beat the Ravens and end up in the SB

 

The Baker love affair will be absolutely unbearable 

 

not sure why so many Bills fans love rooting for the Browns, I cannot stand that team 

Edited January 15, 2021 by Penfield45

[Billschinatown]

Colts was only close cuz special teams.

 

If you remember Titans, there was special teams nightmares that led to that too.

 

Ravens are going to need special teams luck. 

 

Bills take this barring some freak things happening. 

[scribo]

Anticipating some big runs from Allen tomorrow night. Ravens' defense has long been a high-risk, high-reward mindset. The opposite of our defense. I expect B'more to stay with that. They will blitz Allen a ton while their DBs play man coverage and try to jump routes whenever possible. Dabol will dial up more deep routes to open up the middle. If Allen can avoid the blitz, which he's shown to be the best in the league at doing, he will have room to eat up the field with his legs, often.

 

Allen is incredible against the blitz, making defenses pay. Yet, they keep coming, and he keeps making them pay.

[PaattMaann]

2 minutes ago, Penfield45 said:

I’ll be absolutely sick if we lose this weekend and the browns pull off the upset and then go on to beat the Ravens and end up in the SB

 

The Baker love affair will be absolutely unbearable 

 

not sure why so many Bills fans love rooting for the Browns, I cannot stand that team 

 

because we want a home game for the AFC championship 

[colin]

1 minute ago, Penfield45 said:

I’ll be absolutely sick if we lose this weekend and the browns pull off the upset and then go on to beat the Ravens and end up in the SB

 

The Baker love affair will be absolutely unbearable 

 

it will be, but it will largely be deserved.  clevland has a sick and complete O w talent all over, but they ain't winning on D, so they need ball out on O.

 

we are favorites on the spread, but spiritual underdogs w everyone seeing the ravens as hot and the bills as not, and the ravens as a power match up nightmare, and the bills as a smoke and mirrors finesse team. 

 

we are gonna see what is true on saturday, but we control our own narrative.  win the games and be a champion forever.

[NewEra]

9 minutes ago, billsrul120 said:

I know this isn't all your opinion but the factors presented here weak sauce.

Doesn’t really matter.  It’s all weak sauce.  We’re talking about talking heads opinions.  None of our opinions matter either.  
 

The most weak sauce:  caring about what these people think.  Watching it and absorbing it is one thing.  I watch most everything Bills related.  Getting upset because people aren’t picking the Bills and are talking more about the ravens is the most weak sauce thing you can do

[billsrul120]

3 minutes ago, NewEra said:

Doesn’t really matter.  It’s all weak sauce.  We’re talking about talking heads opinions.  None of our opinions matter either.  
 

The most weak sauce:  caring about what these people think.  Watching it and absorbing it is one thing.  I watch most everything Bills related.  Getting upset because people aren’t picking the Bills and are talking more about the ravens is the most weak sauce thing you can do

It has nothing to do with me wanting to hear people cheerleading the Bills, it's just poor overall analysis.  Glad you like weak sauce tho lol it's yours man enjoy

[Pokebball]

13 minutes ago, SCBills said:

It’s interesting to me, that with a week of (predominantly) Ravens hype, the betting line really hasn’t moved.  

Yeah, I've been watching the line all week as well.  It's important to separate the MEDIA hype from where the money is actually being played.

[billsrul120]

15 minutes ago, SCBills said:

It’s interesting to me, that with a week of (predominantly) Ravens hype, the betting line really hasn’t moved.  

Looking at it objectively the Bills have a better team and a really good look at moving on.

[Ya Digg?]

1 hour ago, 97bills said:

And if we go into this game thinking like a lot of post I’ve been reading the bills have already lost. This has been a great year we’re 14-3 I say bring on the ravens it’s not like we’re facing Tom Brady 10 years ago. And I said Lamar was not a great passing QB if there running game isn’t on fire he can’t drop back 35 times and pick you a part he does make plays throwing the ball because players are wide open because there playing the run 

You’re also completely playing into a narrative that isn’t true. As a Bills fan you should know not to just blindly follow what is said about a quarterback-how many times have you heard people say this season that Josh Allen isn’t accurate? We all know that’s not true. You’re still rolling with the “Lamar is a running back, not a quarterback” narrative that has been said about him since he was drafted. He has proven he’s not just a running back. Is running a huge part of his game? Yes! Does he make plays because people are defending the run? Yes! Can he stop back 35 times and best a team? Probably not! That offense also isn’t built for that type of game plan though. I do think the Ravens run a simple offense for him, but you don’t lead the league in touchdown passes if you’re a terrible quarterback. Like I said, I would rather have Josh and I don’t think Lamar can bring his team back, but your view on him is way off. I’m just glad the Bills aren’t taking him as lightly as you are 

[RichRiderBills]

23 minutes ago, SCBills said:

It’s interesting to me, that with a week of (predominantly) Ravens hype, the betting line really hasn’t moved.  

 

Early money on ravens from fans...I heard sharps betting Bills big in the last couple days.

Edited January 15, 2021 by RichRiderBills

[Pokebball]

7 minutes ago, billsrul120 said:

Looking at it objectively the Bills have a better team and a really good look at moving on.

Following the theme of staying humble and hungry, I fixed your post for you.

[Mark Vader]

15 hours ago, The Firebaugh Kid said:

God help me. I hattttte Stephen A. Smith. 

Does the A stand for what I think it does? 

[buffaloboyinATL]

GMFB was a split vote today.  Kay and Peter chose the Ravens and Nate and Kyle chose the Bills.

[Buffalo03]

25 minutes ago, scribo said:

Anticipating some big runs from Allen tomorrow night. Ravens' defense has long been a high-risk, high-reward mindset. The opposite of our defense. I expect B'more to stay with that. They will blitz Allen a ton while their DBs play man coverage and try to jump routes whenever possible. Dabol will dial up more deep routes to open up the middle. If Allen can avoid the blitz, which he's shown to be the best in the league at doing, he will have room to eat up the field with his legs, often.

 

Allen is incredible against the blitz, making defenses pay. Yet, they keep coming, and he keeps making them pay.

The blitzing is why I want us to go with 6 and 7 man protections. Activate Lee Smith and make him an extra blocker and try to have a RB with Allen in the backfield at all times so, he can pick up any extra blitzers

[billsrul120]

Just now, NewEra said:

What are you even talking about man?  I agree it’s poor overall analysis.  You asked a question.  I answered it.  
 

Please explain why I “like weak sauce”?  Because I stated that I watch almost everything bills related?  Currently at home all day, every day for the last year due to being high risk after open heart surgery.  I have bills related YouTube content on one screen while I do work on the other.  
 

 

You used the term 3 times in a paragraph that's all.  Not trying to argue with you we all love the Bills.

[BillsFan619]

3 hours ago, billsrul120 said:

Looking at it objectively the Bills have a better team and a really good look at moving on.

I like the word you just used; objectively.

 

I realize that the ravens have a good team and that they could win. That said, what most people are concerned about or even what talking heads are talking about as the reasons that the ravens will win, if you look at it objectively, the bills have risen up to those occasions that they deem concerning almost every time this year.

 

Examples:

-Concern- Lamar is a rushing QB. Being objective- We’ve faced a couple rushing QBs this year and the highest total that one of them had was 61 yards

-Concern- The Ravens are a top defense. Being objective- The bills are either undefeated or have lost one game to a top 10 defense

-Concern- The Ravens blitz well and often. Being objective- Josh Allen is playing amazing vs. defenses that blitz

Edited January 15, 2021 by BillsFan619

[scribo]

2 minutes ago, Buffalo03 said:

The blitzing is why I want us to go with 6 and 7 man protections. Activate Lee Smith and make him an extra blocker and try to have a RB with Allen in the backfield at all times so, he can pick up any extra blitzers

I think Buffalo needs to stick with 6-man protection. Our offense's advantage is that our four WRs are so good they cannot all be covered on any one play. This is where Josh Allen's top-tier ability to scramble tilts the scales, allowing to have an extra man going out.

[wjag]

Here's how I see it.

 

Last year, Baltimore was a team of destiny.  They let their shot slip away.  Number 1 seed in playoffs.  Bye week.  Consensus MVP.  Blitzkrieged the teams they played.  They can do all the ball washing they want, but they choked away their opportunity.  To the extent that they beat Tennessee this year, they can feel good about their season now.  But fact of the matter is, they let COVID run rampant through their franchise.  Harbaugh was out on TV early in the season saying no one was doing more to be diligent about COVID and protocols.  The NFL levied a huge fine.  So much for that narrative.

 

The Bills are this year's team of destiny.  They have played a harder schedule under the national glare and vanquished demons just like the Ravens did last year.  Buffalo has a red hot QB/WR tandem that every team has tried to shut down.  Buffalo is home.    Judon is ailing.  Campbell is skipping practices.  While I know they will play, I suspect something is going on with both of them.  Buffalo will not steamroll these Ravens, but will essentially outlast them.  Buffalo is going to take this show to KC. 

[Pokebball]

8 minutes ago, scribo said:

I think Buffalo needs to stick with 6-man protection. Our offense's advantage is that our four WRs are so good they cannot all be covered on any one play. This is where Josh Allen's top-tier ability to scramble tilts the scales, allowing to have an extra man going out.

I agree with this.  I even think it's good to empty the backfield at times.

[scribo]

4 minutes ago, Pokebball said:

I agree with this.  I even think it's good to empty the backfield at times.

That is a great way to force Baltimore to stop blitzing.

[D. L. Hot-Flamethrower]

21 minutes ago, buffaloboyinATL said:

GMFB was a split vote today.  Kay and Peter chose the Ravens and Nate and Kyle chose the Bills.

I know many of you would be fine with this......but F Kay! Traitor

[Coach Tuesday]

Win or lose this season has been a treat, and getting to watch this team - and Allen in particular - for one more week is a real gift.

[AllDayLJ]

I see a poster come on here every 5 pages or so and say something along the lines of, "Has everyone forgotten how good we are why does everyone on this board think we're going to lose??"

 

What thread are you reading? Because it's not this one. Almost every comment on here is positive or saying Ravens are good at "xyz" but Bills will pull this out. There's maybe one negative post every 1.5-2 pages. It's like some people are trying to create the "Bills against the world" narrative. Most pundits like blabbering out LJ because he makes highlights plays, but when you look at vegas and the actual picks from "experts" is very even.

 

The Bills are a fantastic team. I legitimately think this game is a coin toss and will be very close either way.

 

25 minutes ago, BillsFan619 said:

Examples:

-Concern- Lamar is a rushing QB. Objective thought- We’ve faced a couple rushing QBs this year and the highest total that one of them had was 61 yards

I can live with your other comparisons, but comparing any other "rushing QB" in the league to LJ is just stupid. That's not an "objective" thought I would stick with.

[wvbillsfan]

11 minutes ago, scribo said:

That is a great way to force Baltimore to stop blitzing.

Patriots did it for years

 5 wide

[WideNine]

32 minutes ago, Mark Vader said:

 

He has always been a pretty blatant Lamar fan boy.

 

That really hasn't changed much so no surprises there, just roll with it.

 

 

[Royale with Cheese]

I think this is the biggest Bills game of my life.  I was in elementary school when the Bills went to the Super Bowls so I certainly didn’t appreciate football like I do now.

 

I just watched the games not completely understanding except for the complete basics.  I didn’t get nervous until I was a teen....that’s when the Bills were serious to me.

[Bob Chandler's Hands]

4 minutes ago, AllDayLJ said:

I see a poster come on here every 5 pages or so and say something along the lines of, "Has everyone forgotten how good we are why does everyone on this board think we're going to lose??"

 

What thread are you reading? Because it's not this one. Almost every comment on here is positive or saying Ravens are good at "xyz" but Bills will pull this out. There's maybe one negative post every 1.5-2 pages. It's like some people are trying to create the "Bills against the world" narrative. Most pundits like blabbering out LJ because he makes highlights plays, but when you look at vegas and the actual picks from "experts" is very even.

 

The Bills are a fantastic team. I legitimately think this game is a coin toss and will be very close either way.

 

I can live with your other comparisons, but comparing any other "rushing QB" in the league to LJ is just stupid. That's not an "objective" thought I would stick with.

If there is one thing we've learned in the past few years it's that many people will read what they want into every piece of information they see on the internet and want to hear back exactly what they already believe to be true. It's like an addiction. 

 

BTW - thanks for the Ravens insights on this thread. 

[Mark Vader]

4 hours ago, uninja said:

 

The closer it gets to gameday the hotter and more irrational the takes/reactions get here. You should see the game day threads here 😂

Indeed, those are the most bi-polar threads you will see.