The Buffalo Bills will visit the Baltimore Ravens for an AFC clash on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 4.
The Bills (3-0) and Ravens (1-2) have had different starts to the season, and a desperate Ravens team hoping to avoid a 1-3 start could make this a back-and-forth affair. The games within the game will make the difference on Sunday.
Here are three key matchups to watch during the Bills-Ravens contest:
DE Greg Rousseau vs. LT Ronnie Stanley
Ravens’ Ronnie Stanley is a former All-Pro left tackle, but he will have his hands full on Sunday night. With most of the Ravens’ offensive line being banged up going into Week 4, the healthy Stanley will be leaned upon even more so by the Ravens. The bad news for Stanley is he is going to be tasked with stopping the penetration of Greg Rousseau.
Rousseau moves to both sides of the defensive line, but when he is matched up with Stanley, it will be power vs. power. The winner of this matchup could prove vital.
QB Lamar Jackson vs. Bills secondary
If Bills head coach Sean McDermott and defensive coordinator Bobby Babich have one thing on their mind going into the game, it’s stopping the Ravens’ rushing attack.
Last week against the Dallas Cowboys, the Ravens led for much of the game and only threw 15 total passes. This week should be different. Lamar Jackson will be forced to pass more often, and when he does, the Bills secondary will most likely be lurking in zone coverage. The Bills are eighth in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game, and corners Christian Benford and Rasual Douglas are performing like one of the league’s best outside duos.
RB James Cook vs. LB Roquan Smith
The Ravens are the best in the league at stuffing the run, allowing just 50 yards per game. Their defensive line, ranked third in the NFL by Pro Football Focus, has a few high-level players in Michael Pierce, Travis Jones, and Nnamdi Madubuike. These three, in the Ravens’ 3-4 base defense, should eat up blocks at times and allow their linebackers to come downhill.
This will set up Cook against a linebacker in the hole. Roquan Smith is struggling in run defense. He’s ranked 42nd in run defense grade for linebackers by PFF. On the contrary, James Cook is averaging 4.6 yards per carry. If running with Cook gets bottled up but the Ravens’ front, the Bills should be able to find success in targeting their backs and slot receivers in the passing game. Ravens’ linebackers Trenton Simpson and Smith rank 35th and 50th in PFF coverage grade for linebackers, respectively.
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