Bills HC Sean McDermott shares praise for Ravens QB Lamar Jackson

Bills head coach Sean McDermott praises Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson

The Baltimore Ravens head into a fantastic Week 4 showdown against the Buffalo Bills at M&T Bank Stadium. The two teams will be looking to improve on their hot starts, and a win would go a long way both for conference and head-to-head tie-breakers.

Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott went on Audacy’s WGR 550 SportsRadio (Buffalo) onThe Extra Point with Sal & Joe to discuss a plethora of topics. He talked about Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson and his passing ability and his development.

“He’s definitely improved in that area, you can see he’s spent time there and worked. He’s always been a great player, he continues to be a great player and he’s added this other dimension or taken that dimension to where it was to another level and I think it’s only made him better so obviously, he has a vision for his career and where he wants it to go and you see him continuing to develop which is a credit to him and their staff.”

Due to the weather, the game could come down to the very last minute. Both teams are stacked on both sides of the ball, so it will be a great game with two fantastic quarterbacks, coaches, and franchises.

Ravens vs. Bills final score predictions: Baltimore’s heading to the AFC Championship Game

We believe the Baltimore Ravens will do enough to get the job done against the Buffalo Bills in the NFL playoffs. But by how much?

The Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills go toe-to-toe tonight in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs. The victor will go on to face the winner of the other AFC contest on this weekend between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns in the AFC Championship Game. So who will win?

Well, based on our predictions here at Ravens Wire . . . Baltimore will, though it’ll be a one-score finish. All of our predictions are for the Ravens, though we all seemingly have some different reasoning.

Check out below to see what we think will happen between the Ravens and Bills in the NFL playoffs.

Bills scouting report: Scouting the Ravens’ divisional-round opponent

A look at the offensive and defensive statistics of the Buffalo Bills ahead of the AFC divisional-round clash with the Baltimore Ravens

The Buffalo Bills are the only thing between the Baltimore Ravens and the AFC Championship Game. That makes this AFC divisional-round matchup between the two sides possibly the best game in a star-studded weekend of action.

The Bills finished the regular season with a 13-3 record, their best season since they went 13-3 in back to back in 1990 and 1991. Sean McDermott, the Bills head coach, has led the team to the playoffs in three of his four seasons at the helm. The only other coaches in team history with three postseason berths are Marv Levy and Lou Saban.

Buffalo is one of the best teams in the NFL, ranked No. 4 in total DVOA, according to Football Outsiders. The Bills finished as the No. 2 seed in the AFC behind only the Kansas City Chiefs, and their first-place finish in the AFC East marked their first division title since 1995.

The Bills overcame a spirited showing from the Indianapolis Colts in the wild-card round to advance to meet the Ravens. The Colts outgained the Bills 472 -397, but Buffalo made just enough plays to pull off a 27-24 victory — the first since 1995.

Let’s take a closer look at what the Ravens can expect to see from the Bills this week:

Ravens vs. Bills: 6 keys to victory in the NFL playoffs

The Baltimore Ravens need to ensure they do these six things against the Buffalo Bills and they’ll head to the AFC Championship Game.

For the Baltimore Ravens, facing the Buffalo Bills this weekend may be the toughest challenge of the season. Rightfully so given that the winner of this matchup advances to the AFC Championship Game.

Both teams feature explosive offenses, suffocating defenses, and quarterbacks who can beat you with their arms and their legs. If the snow starts falling, the Ravens may have the upper hand, relying mainly on their ground game while the Bills do their damage mostly through the air. However, Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen seems to be immune to cold weather, while Lamar Jackson has never played football in the snow.

We could analyze the similarities and differences of these teams all day, but for now, let’s take a look at what the Ravens can do to ensure they continue their path to Super Bowl LV.

Ravens vs. Bills: 7 fun facts about this divisional round matchup

The Baltimore Ravens trip to Buffalo to face the Bills this weekend is no laughing matter. The occasion, the AFC divisional round of the 2020 NFL playoffs, makes this a matter of the utmost seriousness. The Ravens will be expected to bring a …

But that doesn’t mean we have to. In keeping with this theme, here are seven fun facts you should know about these two teams, heading into the all-important clash of two AFC titans this weekend.

Ravens OLB Matthew Judon is our Player of the Game vs. Bills

Matthew Judon was a major factor in Week 14, rattling Bills QB Josh Allen all game long and posting 1.5 sacks and a key forced fumble.

In a game that came down to a final drive and featured two stout defenses who kept opposing mobile quarterbacks in relative check, it might not come as a surprise that a defensive player is the Baltimore Ravens’ player of the game in Week 14 against the Bills. If you watched the game, you likely aren’t very shocked we’re awarding it to outside linebacker Matthew Judon.

Judon was a major factor in this game, starting rattling early. In the first quarter, Judon rattled Bills quarterback Josh Allen, notching a sack and stripping the ball in the process. That would prophesize the type of day Judon would ultimately have, finishing with 1.5 credited sacks (though it certainly looked like two), a forced fumble, a tackle for a loss and five overall tackles.

With Buffalo hanging around until the last drive, Judon’s efforts may have been the difference. Allen couldn’t really get into a rhythm the entire game thanks to the pressure Judon and the defense was bringing, way overshooting on several of his passes. Had the defensive backs actually caught a few of the passes that landed in their hands, Judon could have very well been responsible for even more turnovers.

In what has become a career year for the Ravens’ top pass rusher, the question looms as to whether or not Judon will remain in Baltimore after the offseason. It seems we go through this every year — the Ravens have an elite player on defense that seems to play his best football in his contract year, opening the door for a big payday. Sadly, it seems the offer they sign ends up coming from another team.

Whether or not general manager Eric DeCosta feels Judon is worth keeping around remains to be seen, but the outside linebacker has been a cornerstone of the Ravens’ defense this season. And Judon’s level of play will certainly be a necessity as the Ravens look ahead toward the post-season. In a season where everyone has been overshadowed by Lamar Jackson, Matthew Judon made sure no one forgot him.

[vertical-gallery id=38545]

Ravens Highlight: Lamar Jackson hits Hayden Hurst for a 61-yard TD

TE Hayden Hurst slips past the defense where Jackson finds him for the easy throw and catch and subsequent score.

61 YARDS‼️

TOUCHDOWN @Lj_Era8 ➡️ @haydenrhurst‼️ pic.twitter.com/k00q7uBDHM

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 8, 2019

After a relatively slow first half, the Baltimore Ravens offense found pay-dirt early in the second half — just three plays in, actually.

With the Buffalo Bills’ defense selling out to stop the Ravens’ rushing attack, tight end Hayden Hurst was able to get wide open. Hurst slipped beyond the defense where quarterback Lamar Jackson found him wide open and with open field in front of him. 61 yards later and Baltimore extended their lead over Buffalo.

The Ravens’ pick-your-poison offensive scheme is largely the reason for this play’s success. You can see the linebackers keeping their eyes in the backfield, either waiting for Jackson to run or for a delayed handoff. Hurst ends up being completely forgotten in coverage, allowing him to get open.

This was Hurst’s longest passing play of his short career. With fellow tight end Mark Andrews doubtful to return with a knee injury, Hurst and Nick Boyle have stepped up to help fill the void. Though Baltimore’s offense hasn’t had the best game thus far, Hurst’s quick touchdown could be the thing that gets the Ravens over the Bills this week.

[vertical-gallery id=38545]

Ravens highlights: Lamar Jackson improvises and finds TE Nick Boyle for TD vs. Bills

Lamar Jackson ad-libbed and found his tight end Nick Boyle with a quick shovel pass for the short touchdown

BACKYARD FOOTBALL. @Lj_Era8 hits @nickboyle86 for the TOUCHDOWN. pic.twitter.com/MKTwevVKTs

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 8, 2019

The Baltimore Ravens have struggled early against the Buffalo Bills. Baltimore’s offense has failed to find a ton of rushing room or get much going through the air in heavy wind gusts. But the Ravens’ offense got back to their usual unique self in the second quarter with another magical play at the goal line.

Sometimes it’s the plays you don’t plan that end up being the game-changers. On what looked like a designed quarterback run at the three-yard line, one that appeared to be sniffed out by the Bills’ defense, Lamar Jackson ad-libbed and found tight end Nick Boyle with a quick shovel pass for the short touchdown, putting the visiting Ravens up 10-0 in the second quarter.

Jackson has become known for his “schoolyard” style improvisation with plays like this and the Ravens have become a better team because of it. On a day where the Bills’ defense has done a good job of holding Jackson and the Ravens in check, plays like this may be the x-factor that leads Baltimore to its 9th-straight win and a playoff birth.

[vertical-gallery id=38545]

Lamar Jackson reaches 1,000 rushing yards after embarrassing Bills defender

Lamar Jackson just reached 1,000 rushing yards by making yet another defender look foolish trying to tackle him.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has been making history with his legs all season. In each game, Jackson has been humiliating defenders left and right, watching them whiff on tackles and seeing knees buckle as he jukes them out.

In Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills, Jackson kept that up once again. In the first quarter, Jackson looked like he’d be stopped near the line of scrimmage but a quick shake and Buffalo’s linebacker fell to the ground without ever touching the quarterback.

Take a look at how Jackson juked out yet another professional athlete.

THAT JUKE. 😱@Lj_Era8 | #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/K01go8m2xD

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 8, 2019

It’s fitting that such an iconic Jackson run is what brought him over the 1,000-yard mark for the season.

Jackson’s legs have embarrassed multiple defenders this season as the Ravens have built a new-look offense around him. And it’s also gotten him close to breaking Michael Vick’s single-season rushing record for quarterbacks.

[vertical-gallery id=38545]

Ravens vs. Bills: Scouting report

The Buffalo Bills are a bit of an unknown after having the easiest schedule to date. Let’s dive into how they play on offense and defense.

Week 14 sees the high flying Baltimore Ravens travel to upstate New York to take on the Buffalo Bills. The Ravens are 10-2 and have won each of their last eight games. This has tied a franchise record for the longest win streak. The 9-3 Bills are a game behind the New England Patriots in the AFC East.

This will be the ninth meeting all-time between these two teams. The Ravens hold a 5-3 advantage over the Bills and have won the last two, including a 47-3 mauling in Week 1 of the 2018 season in a game that saw NFL debuts for both Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen due to the blowout.

Let’s take a closer look at Buffalo to give us a better look at what we can expect to see from them on offense and defense.

Offense

The Bills offense is based around the ground game. They rank No. 5 in rushing yards in 2019 but only 23rd in passing. In overall yardage, they rank 17th. While they can run the ball effectively, they haven’t been able to turn that into as many points with 18 teams having scored more points than them this season. The Bills have run the 13th most plays on offense in 2019. They have a pass to run ratio of 1.14. This is the sixth-lowest mark in the NFL.

They are not an offense that has consistently put up huge numbers, nor is it one prone to costly errors. 31.7% of their drives this season have ended with a score. This is the 11th lowest mark in the league. But only 9.4% of their drives have ended in a turnover. This is the ninth-lowest among all teams. Only six teams have more giveaways on offense than the Bills.

The Bills line up in 11 personnel (three wide receivers, one running back and one tight end) on 68% of their offensive plays. This rate is the 8th highest in the NFL. They lean towards the pass when lined up in this formation, doing so on 61% of their plays. The Bills average 7.3 yards per pass attempt out of 11 while also averaging 5.3 yards per rushing attempt. They have a 12:7 TD to interception ratio when passing and have taken 26 sacks.

Their secondary formation is 12, with two tight ends and a single running back joining two wideouts 10% of the time. The Bills are fairly balanced between run and pass when in 12, with a 45%-55% split. Passes out of 12 average 7.1 yards per attempt while rushing attempts average 4.5 yards on the ground.

[vertical-gallery id=38029]

Pages: 12