Week 1 Preview: Is Revenge In The Air? Ravens vs Bills, AFC Divisional Round Rematch
There is plenty of great football to watch this week, starting Thursday with the Eagles vs. the Cowboys. But the game drawing the most hype is the AFC divisional round rematch.
The last time the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills met, it was a cold and slippery game in Buffalo where the Bills came out on top, 27-25. It was one of the most anticipated matchups of the year, with MVP front-runners Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson both active. Jackson was on a mission to change the playoff narrative, but the Ravens started too slowly. He finished 18 of 25 passing for 254 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and 39 rushing yards. The game came down to the wire, but All-Pro tight end Mark Andrews dropped a heartbreaking two-point conversion that would have tied it.
The Ravens and Bills are scheduled to face off in the first Sunday night game of the season. The matchup is expected to be filled with excitement, as both teams feature dynamic playmakers. But when it comes to the Ravens, if they dominate this game, does it really matter? Will they get credit from analysts and critics?
The Ravens are already known as a top regular-season team. The bigger question is whether they can carry that same level of play into the postseason. Even if the Ravens win, which I expect them to do, the conversation will likely focus on their playoff struggles.
“You always get motivated by disappointment, for sure. That’s something that certainly motivates us. We’re watching that game, we watch all the games, we watch preseason games. It’s just a thorough evaluation of everything, true for any kind of circumstance,” Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said when asked about the team’s preparation and whether the postseason loss was a source of motivation.
“We’ll see where he’s at Wednesday. He did some things today, so that works. But in terms of injury updates, you’re probably not going to get much out of me at this point unless it’s an obvious one,” Harbaugh said when asked about the status of recently signed cornerback Jaire Alexander.
Key Matchup
The last time Henry faced the Bills’ defense in the regular season, he nearly hit 200 yards, finishing with 24 carries for 199 yards and one touchdown. I believe this is the biggest key, because if the Ravens stay consistent with the run game, the question is whether the Bills can contain them.
Ravens Keys To Victory
As mentioned above, Henry and the run game will be key, but the Ravens’ defense is also a major factor. The unit has a rich history and is loaded with big names such as Roquan Smith, Jaire Alexander, and rookies Malaki Starks and Mike Green. The question is whether all these pieces will come together to form a dominant defense and make plays on Sunday night.
Prediction
With the AFC divisional round loss serving as motivation, the Ravens will come out strong and on top. I’m predicting a big game from Derrick Henry. I also expect DeAndre Hopkins to be more involved than many anticipate, finishing with about four receptions for 45 yards. On defense, the Ravens should be able to contain the Bills in key moments when it matters most.
Ravens 31, Bills 17