Baltimore Ravens DB Marlon Humphrey deserves credit for the forced fumble that ignited a team comeback on Thursday Night Football.
Baltimore Ravens defensive back Marlon Humphrey deserves credit for forcing the third-quarter fumble that ignited the 35-34 comeback win versus the Cincinnati Bengals last night.
The boo birds were flocking at M&T Bank Stadium, and the Ravens trailed 21-7 with 7:00 minutes to go in the third quarter. With things seeming bleak, Humphrey had to rely on charisma and awareness, intangible assets that motivated him to try for the strip on running back Chase Brown.
Linebacker Roquan Smith pounced on the fumble, allowing the Ravens to take over in plus territory and begin their climb back into the game.
Humphrey’s energetic play makes me wonder: What was Smith relaying to the team inside the defensive huddle, considering the deficit? Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was operating exceptionally, yet Humphrey’s focus during the second half never wavered, even with all-pro wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase putting up numbers.
Remember, Humphrey also recorded a key interception versus the Bengals in week five, and though Chase scorched him in both games, he continues to make critical plays. Defensive coordinator Zach Orr will eventually sow up the breaches in the secondary, but he’ll rely on Humphrey to lead the pack as the season progresses.
3 keys to a Bills victory vs. the Colts in Week 10
The Buffalo Bills will play the Indianapolis Colts on the road at Lucas Oil Stadium in Week 10.
The Bills (7-2) are looking to build on a four-game win streak, the latest being a nail-biter against the Miami Dolphins. The Colts (4-5) are on a two-game losing streak, dropping close games to the Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings.
Buffalo is favored by four points in this one but recent history suggests otherwise. The team hasn’t won in Indianapolis since 1999 when Doug Flutie was under center. They have lost in their last six tries.
When the Bills try to end that streak on Sunday, they’ll be going against a very competitive ball club. All nine of the Colts’ games this year have been decided by one score or less.
The Bills will need to execute their game plan to pick up their eighth win of the year.
With that, here are three keys to a Bills win in Week 10:
Limit big runs from Jonathan Taylor
USA Today Sports
Many are now doubting the Bills’ ability to stop the run after they were gashed by Dolphins runners De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert. But, even though both averaged over five yards per carry in the game, the Buffalo didn’t allow them to have big runs.
After allowing a run of 20 yards in four of their first six games this year, the Bills haven’t allowed one in their last three games.
Enter Jonathan Taylor. In his one career game vs. the Bills in 2021, he ran for 185 yards and five touchdowns in a Colts blowout win.
After Taylor had a rough outing last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, you know he is looking to get back on track. He will most likely get chunks of yards at times, but if the Bills can make sure none slip away for big gains, it will help their chances on the road.
A balanced attack
Imagn Images
The best teams in the NFL are labeled that way because they can attack you in different ways. The Bills are no exception. They have leaned into a balanced approach under offensive coordinator Joe Brady and they have reaped the benefits.
It is no longer quarterback Josh Allen dropping back and trying to create something for the majority of the time. According to FTN Fantasy, the Bills rank seventh in the NFL in rushing DVOA while ranking third in passing. They are elite in both categories.
The Colts’ defense, on the other hand, is lacking in both categories. They rank 28th in passing DVOA and 17th in rushing. The Bills will have opportunities on offense, but tipping your hand and neglecting either the pass or run would make things more difficult than necessary.
Stay close to Josh Downs
Getty Images
Joe Flacco loves to throw it to slot receiver Josh Downs. In he four games with Flacco under center, here are Downs’ numbers per game:
9.75 targets
7.5 catches
69.25 receiving yards
0.5 touchdowns
In a run-heavy offense for Indy, Downs has been the most targeted wide receiver on a per-game basis, and he has the most receiving yards per game. He also adds an average of 5.0 yards after the catch, per Fantasy Pros.
It would be a big boost if the Bills’ defense could hold Downs to minimal gains after the catch.
He likes to sit underneath in the holes of defenses, with an average depth of target of 6.6 yards. He’ll be a focal point of the Bills coverage in Week 10, and he draws a tough matchup with Taron Johnson in the slot.
Bills’ Keon Coleman will not play in Week 10 vs. the Colts
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott announced on Friday that rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman will not play in Week 10 vs. the Indianapolis Colts.
Although Coleman hasn’t been moved to injured reserve, McDermott says the injury is a week-to-week deal. “It will probably be multiple weeks,” he said.
Coleman has come along for the Bills in recent weeks, and his absence will be missed. He amassed 14 targets over Weeks 7 and 8, and he broke out with that opportunity, totaling 195 yards over those two games.
Coleman will especially be missed if Amari Cooper can’t play due to his wrist injury.
The full injury report will be released following Firday’s practice.
The Bills’ front seven has been inconsistent this year in defending the ground game, and they have been under the microscope this week after allowing the Miami Dolphins to run all over them. Running backs De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert each averaged over five yards per carry and combined for 119 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. Now, they have Jonathan Taylor to worry about.
Taylor has been one of the best backs in the NFL when healthy since he entered the league. This year he is averaging an impressive 4.8 yards per carry and is 19th in the NFL in rushing yards (502), just ahead of James Cook (496).
The Bills will need execution and effort from their front seven throughout the game to keep Taylor in check. Guys like DaQuan Jones, Ed Oliver, and Greg Rousseau will be counted on to make an impact at the line of scrimmage.
CB Taron Johnson vs. WR Josh Downs
Getty Images
Slot cornerback Taron Johnson, a second-team All-Pro last year, will be tested by a young up-and-comer in Week 10. Second-year wide receiver Josh Downs operates out of the slot and has quickly gained rapport with quarterback Joe Flacco.
In four games together this year, Downs has averaged 9.75 targets, 7.5 receptions, and 69.25 receiving yards per contest. He has the most catches from Flacco by a decent margin and has been the most-targeted receiver in all four games.
Johnson has a tough task with keeping tabs on Downs and also being ready to head downhill to tackle Taylor in the running game. It’s a tall task but that’s nothing new for one of the best nickel corners in the game.
QB Joe Flacco vs. Bills pass coverage
Getty Images
We could more widely talk about the playcalling duel between Shane Steichen and Bobby Babich, but let’s zoom in a bit. Flacco vs the Bills’ coverage will be a chess match to watch.
Flacco has been around the block. In his 17th year, he is still proving he can be effective. He has seven touchdowns and two interceptions through four games played, and his 94.5 passer rating ranks 14th in the NFL.
The Bills passing defense struggled against the Dolphins last week as Tua Tagovailoa completed 89% of his passes. The Bills currently rank middle-of-the-pack in passing defense DVOA (15th).
The defense might have a little bit of an easier day if WR Michael Pittman Jr. can’t play due to injury, but what would really help them is having more of a pass rush.
Colts will be without key offensive starter vs. Bills
The Indianapolis Colts’ offensive line won’t be at full strength when they host the Buffalo Bills in Week 10. They’ll be missing a major piece to their puzzle up front.
On Tuesday, the team placed veteran center Ryan Kelly on injured reserve, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Kelly, a Pro Bowler in four of the past five years, will miss at least the next four games for the Colts after suffering a knee injury.
Colts running back Jonathan Taylor will be looking to get back on track on the ground this week despite the loss of their team captain at center. In last week’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings, he was held to 3.7 yards per carry and totaled just 48 yards.
Taylor will attempt to right the ship while running behind rookie center Tanor Bortolini on Sunday. But, even with a fourth-round rookie handling the snaps, the Bills defensive line will still be tested.
Bortolini, a former Wisconsin Badger, will start at center for Kelly for the third time this year. He has fared well while at center so far. In 160 total snaps, his 66.3 Pro Football Focus grade ranks 18th among 57 qualifying centers. Bortolini has given up zero sacks on just one pressure allowed and has committed just one penalty.
The Bills’ defensive line has seen its struggles as of late and they recently lost defensive linemen DeWayne Carter and Dawuane Smoot to IR. They did bring back free-agent defensive tackles Jordan Phillips and Quinton Jefferson on Wednesday, but they are a unit on the team that has left a lot to be desired.
How the Bills’ front, particularly Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones, perform going up against the rookie is now a key matchup to watch in Week 10.
Along with the game-winner, Bass also connected on field goals from 40 and 49 yards out, an area which he has struggled in.
The 61-yarder was not only a career-long for Bass, but it was a franchise record for the Bills. It is the only 60-yard field goal in Bills history. He surpassed Steve Christie, who connected on a 59-yarder in 1993.
Following the game, Josh Allen told CBS Sports, “I’m emotional for him. He’s been battling his butt off, fighting adversity. You saw that today. To be there in the biggest moment and nail that for us… I’m so proud of him. I love that man.”
That support from his teammates is what led to Bass getting emotional while receiving the game ball after the game.
Here’s another look at the new record for the longest field goal in Bills history.
Dolphins’ Jordan Poyer calls hit on Bills’ Keon Coleman ‘clean’
The Bills were charging downfield on offense in the final minutes of their matchup against the Dolphins Sunday, aiming to score the winning points to break a tie and win the game before the end of regulation.
Buffalo did just that, winning 30-27, and a former Bill even helped them get the opportunity for the victory, albeit at a cost.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen and the offense were making their way downfield in the final minutes of the contest after Miami tied the score at 27 when Allen threw a deep pass toward the left sideline targeting rookie receiver Keon Coleman.
While the pass was incomplete, Dolphins safety and former Bill Jordan Poyer, who returned to Orchard Park for the first time since his seven-year run with Buffalo ended, was whistled for a personal foul as he made helmet-to-helmet contact on the play. The flag kept the drive alive and led to Buffalo winning the game on a 61-yard field goal by kicker Tyler Bass.
Poyer’s helmet crown made contact with Coleman’s facemask, and his helmet also came into contact with the rookie’s right hand during the hit as well, and he appeared to motion toward his arm on his way to the sideline after the play.
Per Syracuse.com, Coleman had a brace on his right wrist and left the game late after the injury.
Poyer said postgame that he believed at the time that the play was clean.
“I’m just playing football. I thought it was a clean play, felt like I put my helmet right into his chest,” he said to the press. “I’m just playing football, it’s tough. … What can you do? I don’t know. I had a great post-break, he went up for the ball and I literally didn’t stop my feet. I felt like I hit him where I was supposed to hit him. Apparently, the ref didn’t think so.”
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel acknowledged that their goal is to play aggressively, though he did not disagree with the penalty call.
“It takes it out of everyone’s hands when you go helmet to helmet,” McDaniel said. “I didn’t see it live, but if there was helmet-to-helmet contact, it is what it is. You have to go strike zone, which is below the neck. So they’ll call that every time if that’s the case.”
Buffalo was down a receiver as recent trade acquisition Amari Cooper had been ruled out ahead of Sunday’s game with an arm injury of his own.
Coleman has been a top receiver for the Bills this season with 22 catches for 417 total yards and two touchdowns.
What Bills’ Josh Allen said after Tyler Bass hit 61-yard game-winner vs. Dolphins
The Buffalo Bills sunk the Miami Dolphins in Orchard Park Sunday by a final score of 30-27.
The Bills won a close-fought battle in the final regular season meeting between the two clubs thanks to some late-game heroics by their offense and special teams.
That effort was headlined by kicker Tyler Bass, who delivered a game-winning kick for the ages and the longest in Buffalo Bills history at 61 yards.
Immediately after the win, quarterback Josh Allen became emotional during an on-field interview speaking about Bass: “I love that man.”
“So proud of him. So happy for him,” he added during his postgame press conference. “Got emotional in my little postgame speech out there – just the trials and tribulations that he’s been in throughout this year. … A 61-yard field goal to win a game against a division rival, it’s what stories are made of. I love him. I respect him so much. Everybody in that locker room’s so happy for him, and he’s our guy.”
Since the end of last season, Bass has experienced his ups and downs, including this game. He missed an extra point, hit an upright on an extra point, and then delivered the long knockout punch to get the victory.
“That’s why we all love sports, right?” Bills head coach Sean McDermott said to the press after the game.
Bass’s extra point miss came in the third quarter after the Bills took a 12-10 lead on a 1-yard touchdown pass from Allen to WR Mack Hollins on fourth-and-goal. And as it was his third missed PAT of the season, fans may have been concerned if the kicker with some clutch kicks in his career could deliver again.
The Dolphins perhaps knew better, as they’ve seen Bass beat them in the final seconds of a game before.
And in a site that’s become all too familiar, Bass did just that and Buffalo continued its dominance against Miami.
“What a story, man. What a story,” McDermott proudly declared. “I just think overall that here’s a young man that has been going through it and the journey that he’s been on week to week, the questions that have been asked of him, of me … it’s natural, it’s the business we’re in. It’s a great example of mental toughness. I think it’s a great example of perseverance, resilience for young kids out there. Here’s a player that was under the microscope pretty darn hard.”
Bass has endured a challenging season of misses, one in which the teams signed kicker Lucas Havrisik to their practice squad after an Oct. 14 win against the Jets in which Bass missed a field goal and an extra point. The Bills veteran kept the job and had a chance this week to show off the big leg that the club drafted him for in 2020.
“Just reminding myself that, you know, I love this, I love the sport,” Bass said about his mindset and approach. “This is what I’ve dreamed of and when I was out there, I honestly wasn’t thinking about anything. Just went through my process and trusted my preparation. That was it.”
That perspective paid off when it mattered, for the team and the player.
“It means everything,” Bass added about the kick. “Very emotional. Haven’t really processed it yet, but just putting in a lot of work, man, and was just focused on right here, right now, the present and being patient with everything, man. You’re going to go through ups and downs, but just continue to put your best foot forward. We did that today. So just very emotional, I would say.”
McDermott presented the game ball to Bass in the locker room afterward as well, deferring any credit when asked about standing by his kicker.
“He did it. I didn’t do it,” the coach said about the gesture. “I know why you’re asking, but he’s the one who did it. … The questions that were starting to pop up and more and more this year, and then we bring in a kicker to compete with him. He just stayed true to who he is and he stayed true to his process. Even today, (with the) early miss on the extra point. He stayed true to his process. I think that’s very powerful.”
Flowers accounted for 127 of Jackson’s 280 passing yards on the afternoon, on a day where the Ravens only needed 19 pass attempts.
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers averaged 25.4 yards per catch on just five receptions in Sunday’s 41-10 win over the Denver Broncos.
Flowers possesses impeccable footwork, allowing him to shake the shoes off defenders in the open field, turning the most basic intermediate pass plays into touchdowns.
Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph could’ve studied coaching film on Flowers all summer long, but he still can’t scheme for Flowers’s undisputable fundamentals and finesse.
The Broncos presumed that man coverage would allow their pass rush to be somewhat disruptive for Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Instead, Joseph left his defensive backs on an island with the quick feet of Flowers and teammate wide receiver Nelson Agholor.
Flowers accounted for 127 of Jackson’s 280 passing yards on the afternoon, on a day where the Ravens only needed 19 pass attempts.
As long as offensive coordinator Todd Monken prioritizes the run, the Ravens offense will force defenses to play more man coverage, allowing them to target Flowers in coverage voids.
The Steelers have to be wondering if they can compete with the Baltimore Ravens.
Going into Week Nine of the NFL season, the Pittsburgh Steelers were on top with a 6-2 record. Just behind them were the Baltimore Ravens at 5-3. But after watching the Ravens absolutely dismantle the Denver Broncos 41-10, they have not only gotten a half-game closer to the Steelers in the AFC North but really look like the team to beat.
The Steelers and Ravens square off in just two weeks and with both showdowns still on the schedule, the Steelers will have ever opportunity to prove the critics wrong. But watching Baltimore run up 280 passing yards and get 106 rushing from Derrick Henry, this team seems like a real threat to the Steelers.
Pittsburgh squared off with those same Broncos earlier in the season and against a much less experienced Bo Nix were only able to pull off a 13-6 win. Pittsburgh hasn’t won the AFC North since 2020 and face an absolutely brutal second-half of the schedule even beyond two games against the dangerous Ravens.
