Buffalo Bills

1. No Slow Starts

Last week, albeit winning the game, the Bills got off to a unfamiliar slow start that we haven’t seen in some time. It could have cost them an opportunity to be playing this week, but the past is in the past, and a slow start here against a team that’s offense is geared toward killing clock and long drives is no good here, or anywhere, if the Bills are to win this weekend.

Perhaps we are seeing the effects of Buffalo’s back half schedule, and how light it was comparatively to some of the opponent’s faced in the first half. Regardless, Baltimore is the kind of team that you want to run up a score against, and with the receivers healthy this week, they can and should do it.

In games prior, when Jackson and the Ravens fall behind big, they struggle to come back. That doesn’t mean that it couldn’t happen here, but the notion that they struggle from behind big, has to have the Bills ready to fire on all cylinders.

2. Be Ready for Lamar to take off

The Bills defense left a lot to be desired last week. It allowed 450-plus yards, with a little over 300 by air and 160 on the ground. If the Bills come out like that against a run happy team like Baltimore, they’ll be golfing next weekend while the AFC Championship is being played.

The Ravens are tremendous at selling runs and fakes. The defense commits to stopping Dobbins at the line? Oh wait, Jackson just picked up seven yards with a run to the outside. Prepared for a Jackson fake out? Dobbins just got a first down.

Before and after a play, football is a thinking-man’s game. While a play is unfolding, it’s reactionary. A split second of thinking or overthinking can be the difference between a one yard gain or a huge chunk play for touchdowns. Be ready

3. Keep your composure

It’s hard not to be too giddy with excitement if you’re the Bills. This is the furthest that Buffalo has been in the playoffs in a long time. They went into the game last week seemingly pretty lose, and probably pretty confident.

A win is a win, but many could say that Buffalo was not as electric as they have been. It’s easy to get frustrated, or even desperate in a playoff game, especially with how close the Bills are, but they have to play it cool. Especially against a team like the Ravens. Always best to keep the emotions in check.

This should be a competitive game with two very good, and very different styled teams. It’ll be a telling game for two studs who could lead NFL quarterbacks into the next generation.

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