Baltimore Ravens defense: Projecting 3 standouts against the Bills

1. Marlon Humphrey

A.J. Brown was a tough assignment because he could match Marlon Humphrey in his physicality. Stefon Diggs is a tough assignment for Humphrey, though I like the matchup more. Humphrey is the kind of player that Diggs doesn’t want to see. He’s a physical and aggressive cornerback who isn’t going to fear him. Expect Humphrey to go after Diggs and to play him tightly off his release.

Humphrey will give up some plays. Diggs will have some battles go his way. Does this mean that he’ll take over the game? Absolutely not. Humphrey will be able to make sure that Diggs doesn’t take over the game.

Including the playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts, Diggs has had eight games with over 100 yards receiving this season. This game won’t be his ninth. Sometimes I think we forget how Humphrey got his reputation as a great cornerback. It’s not because of forced fumbles, that’s just gravy. Instead, it’s about being able to match up with great wide receivers and stop them.

Humphrey doesn’t need to put up stats to win this game. He doesn’t need to create a fumble or pick off a pass (It would be nice though). He just needs to win the majority of battles with his very quick opponent from the Bills. Should Humphrey limit Diggs, it will make the Bills’ offense look beatable.

Last week the Ravens took Derrick Henry out of the equation, the Titans’ best player. This week they have to battle a different kind of number one weapon. Humphrey is the best hope the Ravens have at slowing down the Allen to Diggs connection. Humphrey is one of the key players to a Ravens win over the Bills. He is one of the reasons the Ravens have a chance.

By the way, we also did a look at the potential offensive standouts for this game. Check it out, because we have this game covered like Marlon Humphrey covers top receivers. Let’s get it Baltimore!