Buffalo Bills: Possible preview of AFC title game this Sunday
By Brett Mahon
The onus is squarely on the Buffalo Bills this Sunday at New Era Field. A win for the men in blue over Baltimore in a possible AFC Championship preview would give them a huge advantage in the final weeks of the season.
The Buffalo Bills will be facing one of their toughest challenges of the season this Sunday as they host the Baltimore Ravens. Led by quarterback and MVP candidate Lamar Jackson, the Ravens are coming off of a hard-fought victory last week against San Francisco, a game that saw Jackson rush for over a hundred yards in addition to throwing for 105 and a touchdown.
The Bills also scored a victory in Week 13 by defeating the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving day. Those three extra days rest and preparation for head coach Sean McDermott‘s team could prove to be a difference-maker in this week’s showdown.
Defensively the Bills game plan should be focused on keeping Jackson contained, minimize his effectiveness as a runner and make him challenge their fifth-ranked pass defense. This may be easier said than done but it’s of paramount importance if Buffalo is to come out on top.
More from Buffalo Bills
- Caesars New York Promo Code: Win $250 Bonus GUARANTEED on ANY Bet!
- After Three Weeks, are the Buffalo Bills AFC East Favorites?
- Buffalo Bills: Predicting the roster for the 2020 Season
- How Pats and Cam Newton Impact Buffalo Bills
- Jake Fromm is no lock to make Buffalo Bills roster
Offensively the Bills can exploit a Ravens defense that ranks 25th against the run by putting their own signal-caller in a position to make plays on the ground. While Josh Allen may not have the burst Jackson does, defenses over the last two seasons have found it extremely difficult to corral Allen when he decides to tuck and run. A big-bodied QB with mobility can wreak havoc for Baltimore.
Moving on to the running backs. Mark Ingram of Baltimore has had nothing short of a solid campaign in 2019, exceeding 100 rushing yards four times and tallying nine touchdowns. Another Ravens weapon the Buffalo Bills interior defense must hold in check.
Devin Singletary started hot for Buffalo through the first two games of the season and was slowed by a hamstring injury that put him on the shelf until Week 7. He has since supplanted the ageless wonder we know as Frank Gore and is firmly in place as Buffalo’s lead back and becoming a household name.
Next. Yankees need Gerrit Cole for the 2020 season. dark
It’s the perfect storm for a Baltimore loss. A hard-fought victory in the rain versus San Francisco, then coming to a hostile New Era Field environment to play a well-rested 9-3 Bills team looking to unseat the dynastical New England Patriots for a division crown. Low scoring, smash-mouth football is what we will see in this one