After the clash in the NFC is finished the attention of the NFL playoffs head to the AFC on Saturday night as the Buffalo Bills host the Baltimore Ravens in what looks like a cracking way to close off the first of two double headers this weekend.
Both these teams came through matches in the wildcard round last weekend with the Bills going into the playoffs as the number two seeds and the Ravens down as the fifth seeds. Baltimore have upset one side on the road and will be looking to repeat the deal.
Buffalo Bills
I had my concerns over the Buffalo Bills heading into this playoff series, not because I don’t rate them and their team on the field but there is a different mentality needed at this stage of the season and you only really get that with wins at this time. It was pretty obvious throughout the match with the Indianapolis Colts that they were feeling the heat but to their credit they got the job done and you wonder if they will go from strength to strength having overcome that hurdle.
I think it is fair to say that if the Bills are to go through then Josh Allen is going to have to step up and be counted because Buffalo suffered a blow in the running game when Zack Moss went down injured. Allen doesn’t lack for weapons but he might need them unless the Bills defence can get hold of Lamar Jackson and keep him quiet. Failure to do that could lead to a long evening for the home rearguard, which is not what they will want.
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Baltimore Ravens
The same concerns over performing at this stage of a season was on the shoulders of the Baltimore Ravens going into last week, and for the first 10 minutes or so it was evident to see they were struggling to deal with it, but then they settled down and we saw the Baltimore side that we saw at the beginning of the season which was vibrant and good variety on their offense and a very tough defence. They stopped Derrick Henry at source and eased to victory in the end.
You would expect the Ravens to kick on from that win and if they do they could be very tough to beat. I’d like to see them run the ball right from the outset here. For some reason this season they seem to come out passing in big matches and it just doesn’t work. If they can pound their way through from the outset it should give them an even better chance of winning. The Ravens backfield will need to be focused as there could be a big attack coming their way.
Betting
I think the Baltimore Ravens match up pretty well to the Buffalo Bills here. I will be interested to see just how much damage the Bills’ offense can do because in their last four meetings with Baltimore they have lost the lot and accumulated just 36 points. If Baltimore get into the position where Josh Allen has to throw from behind on the scoreboard you could see the Ravens’ defence taking over and turning this into a comfortable night.
The Ravens defence is one reason why I like them but their ability to chew up the clock and keep Allen and the Bills offense off the field is another reason to like them. Baltimore have the quality in their ranks to win a low scoring game or a shootout and while the Bills can win a shootout I’m not sure their defence has enough to keep Jackson contained for long enough to come out on top in a close game. I’ll side with the Ravens here.
Tips
Back Baltimore Ravens to beat Buffalo Bills for a 3/10 stake at 2.20 with 888sport
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