The Baltimore Ravens have a critical game on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. After two rough losses, the Ravens must get back on track, and the Bills are an elite AFC team. Lamar Jackson's likely return will give the Ravens a big boost.
But what matchups will define this game? And what do the Ravens need to do to secure the win? Let's dive in.
3 matchups Baltimore Ravens must win to have a chance against Buffalo Bills
Zay Flowers vs. the Bills' secondary
While the Bills are off to a stellar 5-1 start, their secondary is an exploitable flaw. Notably, they've given up the third most passing yards per game. Jackson is likely to return this week, and that should open up the Ravens' passing game in a big way. Regardless, the Ravens must make it an emphasis to get Zay Flowers involved. He's their best chance to expose the Bills' secondary.
Flowers is on a heater this season, posting 608 yards so far. He's been the heartbeat of the Ravens' passing game. Flowers' ability to line up everywhere on the field also gives him a path to giving the Bills' defense fits. Encouragingly, there's a proof of concept that he can succeed against the Bills, last season he racked up 143 yards and a touchdown against Buffalo.
However, Christian Benford is a stout outside corner whom the Bills will try to stick on Zay as much as possible. Therefore, it's not a certainty that Flowers will have a strong game. Declan Doyle will need to free him up and get creative.
If Zay puts together a big game, the Ravens will have the firepower to keep up with Josh Allen and the Bills.
Trey Hendrickson vs. Dion Dawkins
The Ravens must do a better job of generating pressure and sacks. Granted, they are in the middle of the pack for these stats, and these problems have improved from last season. Still, to have success against the Bills, Baltimore must make Allen uncomfortable in the pocket. And they are primarily counting on Trey Hendrickson to do this. That's why they signed him.
Unfortunately, Dion Dawkins offers a tough matchup. His overall Pro Football Focus grade is sixth among qualifying tackles. Make no mistake, though: this is a grudge match. Hendrickson is still an elite pass rusher. The sack numbers might not jump off the screen, but his impact has been there.
If he can get the better of Dawkins and make life difficult for Allen, the Ravens' chances of winning will skyrocket.
Roger Rosengarten vs. Greg Rousseau
Greg Rousseau has been one of the league's best pass rushers. He has six sacks and 25 pressures. Rousseau has elite size, length, and athleticism at 6-foot-6. For a Ravens team that has allowed the eighth most sacks, Rousseau presents a clear problem.
Thankfully, Roger Rosengarten has been pretty sturdy in pass protection, allowing just one sack so far this year. If Rosengarten can keep Rousseau at bay, that will give Lamar more time to throw, which will open up the Ravens' explosive passing game. Likewise, Rousseau is a high-level run stopper, so Rosengarten's blocking needs to be sharp, especially given the Ravens' poor run game in the past two games.
The Ravens will need to keep up with the Bills' offense, and the offensive line will be a massive part of their success.
Add us as a preferred source on Google