This 6pm kick-off is a massive AFC game between two sides that always seem to meet in the playoffs. Two of their last five meetings have come in the divisional round. However, this is more important for the Ravens, whose playoff hopes hang by a thread.
The Ravens (4-3) have lost their last two games, which is why they are in this predicament. Tyler Huntley has been under centre while Jackson has been recovering from an ankle injury. They only beat the Falcons in overtime before losing to two divisional rivals, the Browns and the Bengals.
However, Lamar Jackson is back for this game, after practicing all week. In the four games he has played, he has 68 of 96 for 967 yards, six touchdowns and an interception, averaging 10.1 yards per attempt, and 241.8 yards per game. He also has 19 carries for 144 yards and a touchdown.
No surprises but RB Derrick Henry is their main rusher, and has a league leading 147 carries for 579 yards and seven touchdowns. He also has 10 receptions (from 12 targets) for 68 yards and another touchdown. WR Zay Flowers has been the WR1 with 40 receptions (from 53 targets) for 608 yards, and three touchdowns.
The Bills (5-1) are coming off their bye week, and would have been glad of the rest, going into this game and the Vikings in week nine. Each of their last three games has been decided by three points, with their only loss coming in week four to the Patriots.
QB Josh Allen will be in the conversation for MVP as usual. He has 114 of 171 for 1504 yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions, averaging 8.8 yards per attempt, and 250.7 yards per game. He also has 48 carries for 240 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 5 yards per carry.
RB James Cook has 117 carries for 627 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. WR Keon Coleman has 19 receptions (from 24 targets) for 283 yards and three touchdowns, whilst TE Dalton Kincaid has 23 receptions (from 29 targets) for 315 yards and one touchdown.
Who Wins and How?
The Bills are the top scorers in the NFL, averaging 32.8 points per game, but rank 30th for points allowed per game (28.5). The Ravens rank 12th for points scored (24.1) and 18th for points allowed (23.9), but I’m expecting a high scoring game. Sky Bet has the total at 54.5 points and I think that’s about right. The Ravens will have Lamar Jackson back which is a huge plus for them, but the Bills rarely lose at home. The Bills win by three points in this one.
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