AFC Divisional Round Preview 2024-2025: #2 Bills vs. #3 Ravens

AFC Divisional Round Preview 2024-2025: #2 Buffalo Bills vs. #3 Baltimore Ravens

One round down, 3 more to go. 3 more rounds to win to be eventual Super Bowl Champions. Before watching the Lions and Commanders game last night, this would be the game I thought would be the game to watch. This AFC Divisional round might end up being the best game of the whole playoffs if we’re lucky. In my opinion, these two teams all year had the best shot at dethroning the Chiefs. It isn’t too far-fetched to say that the winner of this game could win the entire thing. Alright, alright enough edging, let’s get into the game analysis in this AFC Divisional round preview.

First, the particulars about this AFC Divisional round preview are below:

• When: Saturday, January 19
• Where: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York
• Time: 6:30 ET
• TV: CBS
• Live Stream: NFL+, Paramount+, Youtube TV
• Spread: Bills +1
• Over/Under: 51.5

Why The Bills Will Win:

1: Josh Allen.

Let’s get the glaze over with. Josh Allen might be the best QB in the NFL and even though most of the time we say it’s Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen plays better than Mahomes. Not only can he make any throw on the field, but his ability to rush the ball makes him all that much more dangerous. While this game might snow and/or rain, it’ll be harder for him to throw, however, that’s never stopped him before.

2: Joe Brady Might Be Underrated

While I just glazed over Josh Allen a second ago, sometimes we forget that coaching matters and Joe Brady has been awesome for Josh Allen. Joe Brady did not get enough head coaching interviews based on his offense this year. Khalil Shakir is not a stereotypical WR1 but he’s playing like one. Joe Brady has this offense humming and there’s not overloads of talent on as weapons. While the Ravens rush defense will hold them in the run game, I can expect Joe Brady to be innovative in the pass game to get his guys open and give the Ravens trouble.

3: Force Lamar Jackson To Throw

We can agree that Lamar Jackson wasn’t a polished thrower and has gotten better over time. Is he still the most polished thrower? No, but he has taken care of the ball and has been able to throw more passing TDs than ever before. While Todd Monken deserves his flowers for that too, Lamar has been better than he has ever been. HOWEVER, would you rather Lamar Jackson throw the ball or run the ball? Exactly, on passing plays it would be wise to rush 3 and drop two linebackers to cover the middle and be QB spies. The only problem with that is that Derrick Henry will eat you alive if you only rush 3 and drop people. You could blitz but Lamar is as elusive as they come. The Ravens will have to be disciplined but making Lamar Jackson to throw is the best way for the Bills to win on defense, especially with Zay Flowers possibly out.

Why The Ravens Will Win:

1: Best QB-RB Rushing Duo…In History?

I am asking this as a question because I am not sure if there is a better QB-RB rushing duo in the history of the NFL. There could be, but none comes to mind for me at the time. Regardless, the very fact that I am asking is enough to sell you that Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry are damn near unstoppable together. They can run read-option most times and it is hard to stop giving Lamar’s shiftiness and Derrick Henry being…Derrick Henry. Plus it is looking like it might be a snow game or at least a wet game, meaning a lot of runs will be prevalent in this game.

2: Wet Game Means Ravens Run Defense Will Thrive

As I kind of alluded to earlier, this game might look ugly weather wise. In most wet games or snow games, you’re going to see a lot of runs as it can be harder to catch the ball. Not saying there won’t be any throws, especially with Josh Allen playing, but it might be smash mouth football. This is what the Ravens want, they only let up 77 rushing yards a game. They struggle more in the passing game, but if they can keep Josh Allen from throwing and contain James Cook, they have a good shot in this game.

3: Ravens Secondary Can Hold Bills WRs

Khalil Shakir has made a considerable jump in his career, Amari Cooper can still play and pop off every few games, and Keon Coleman hasn’t progressed as much as the Bills would have liked. However, Kyle Hamilton, Nate Wiggins, and Marlon Humphrey are no slouches whatsoever. I like the matchup of this secondary against the Bills WRs. The only real problem for the Ravens is that Josh Allen is throwing the ball so uh…good luck.

Verdict: Ravens Defeat The Bills 27-24

When I first started writing the AFC Divisional round preview between these two teams, I had no idea who I think would win this game. I figured an answer would come to me as I look for ways each team to win and uh, yeah I think I am even more conflicted. I went with the Ravens because of the Ravens rushing attack and it being a possible snow/wet game. We’ll say that Justin Tucker reminds everyone why he’s Justin Tucker and makes a clutch FG at the end to win it, but I think it’ll be a great game.

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