Ebony Bird
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Ravens Vs. Bills: 6 questions with BuffaLowDown

By Chris Schisler

CARSON, CA - NOVEMBER 19: Nathan Peterman #2 of the Buffalo Bills leaves the field after a failed third down during the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at the StubHub Center on November 19, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - NOVEMBER 19: Nathan Peterman #2 of the Buffalo Bills leaves the field after a failed third down during the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at the StubHub Center on November 19, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – AUGUST 17: Nathan Peterman #2 of the Buffalo Bills looks to pass in the third quarter of a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 17, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – AUGUST 17: Nathan Peterman #2 of the Buffalo Bills looks to pass in the third quarter of a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 17, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Here are my 6 questions and Steven Kubitza’s 6 answers:

Chris Schisler: Can you give me a reason the Ravens should worry about the Bills; or what has to happen for the Bills to win? 

Steven Kubitza: The Bills are being beat up in national power rankings because of the quarterback situation. Nathan Peterman’s name is attached to his awful debut and that is enough for the team’s reputation to be dragged down. But this Bills team is not terrible. The defense is filled with respectable talent. That is especially true in the defensive secondary where there are arguably three Pro Bowl candidates in Tre’Davious White, Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer. That group is a reason why the Ravens should be a bit worried. That group will give the Ravens receivers, and Joe Flacco, a very rough day.

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The success of the Bills on offense depends on the offensive line. The group got beat up all preseason now that Richie Incognito and Eric Wood are gone. There is all this talk about Peterman and the receivers but the offense won’t even have time to run plays if the line is as bad as it was in the preseason. But if the group gives Peterman and LeSean McCoy legitimate help, I see this game as even on paper.

CS: Was the decision to start Nathan Peterman based on his merit, or Josh Allen’s level of preparation? 

SK: Peterman didn’t win the job by default. He won it because he was the best quarterback in camp and the preseason. As I said, his name is attached to his historically awful debut. But one half of football doesn’t define who he is as a quarterback.

As for Josh Allen, he sure got close to winning the job. But he didn’t outplay Peterman. I do think he will start sometime during the season, after he gets some time to develop. However, he won’t be put out there if the offensive line is going to get him hurt.

CS: What is the Bills biggest strength and how does it match up with the Ravens? 

SK: The biggest strength is the talent in the defensive secondary. Overall, the Bills ended up finishing 20th in the league in pass defense in 2017. Yet 2018 brings an experienced Tre’Davious White into the mix along with a healthy Vontae Davis. Given the Ravens have questionable talent at wide receiver, the game plan may shift more toward the run. That is of course given my outside perception of the Ravens receivers. It is entirely possible that Michael Crabtree, John Brown and Willie Snead have resurgent seasons. But for now this group appears set to face a tough challenge on Sunday.

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