The Baltimore Ravens are set for their showdown with the Buffalo Bills for the AFC Divisional round of the playoffs. Here are five bold predictions.
Lamar Jackson eclipses century mark as passer and runner, scores twice:
The Baltimore Ravens needed Lamar Jackson to play his best football vs. the Tennessee Titans a week ago and finally get the elusive first playoff win of his career. It didn’t start off well after a rough interception, but once Jackson settled down he was his usual electric self. It was because of this new demeanor that the Ravens were able to secure a win and advance in the post-season for the first time since the 2014 season.
If Baltimore wants to advance this week, they’ll need Jackson to avoid early mistakes like that and take over the game with his legs. No one is better at this than Jackson, and that’s precisely why I think he’s going to have another good outing.
The Buffalo Bills defense is far from elite, but they aren’t bad, either. Unfortunately for them, “not being bad” isn’t going to win them this game. Jackson can easily romp this Bills defense through the air and the ground. Buffalo’s secondary is scary, but the coverage will break down thanks to a lack of pass rush and some receivers who have learned how to improve with Jackson.
Look for “Action” Jackson to carve up this defense through the air and the ground and score a couple of touchdowns.
Baltimore runs the ball at will and records 200+ yards:
No one knows how to stop the Ravens run game and the Bills aren’t going to discover how to this weekend. It’s nothing personal against Buffalo or their defense; they simply aren’t enough to stop this runaway train that is the Baltimore run game.
Jackson will glide all over the field and make life a living hell for the Bills defense, that’s not something that’s hard to predict. From there, the Ravens will be able to use its hydra-like backfield to pace the rest of the game. From J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards with love!
Between Jackson, Dobbins, and Edwards, it’s more than enough to break the will of opposing defenses. Throw in a couple of rogue carries to Mark Ingram and Justice Hill and it’s simply not fair.
Baltimore will need the run game to be on-point vs. Buffalo if they want to win this game. Don’t overthink it, Greg Roman. Just give it to your runners and let them work. If he does this, the Ravens will coast to another 200-yard day on the ground.