AFC Divisional Playoffs Preview: Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills
The battle of potential MVP’s will face off for the second time this year, this time in the AFC Divisional Playoffs, as the Baltimore Ravens go on the road and take on the Buffalo Bills. This game is slated to take place on Sunday, January 19, 2025 at 6:30 PM on CBS. Currently, the folks over at MyBookie have made this game a coin flip with the Buffalo Bills favored by just 1 point at home. The total for the over/under is 51.5 points.
Baltimore Ravens Preview
The Baltimore Ravens advanced to the Divisional Round by knocking off their arch enemy and divisional rivals Pittsburgh Steelers by the score of 28-14. The Ravens absolutely dominated the Steelers in the first half of the game, jumping out to a 21-0 lead at halftime and then cruising along the rest of the game.
Heading into the postseason, there was a lot of questions surrounding Ravens QB Lamar Jackson and his inability to lead in the playoffs but those questions were somewhat put to rest, as he had a very clean game, going 16 for 21 for 175 passing yards and 2 touchdowns, along with rushing 15 times for 81 yards.
Ravens Running Back sensation Derrick Henry once again was a monster in the backfield and impossible for the Steelers to stop. He rushed the ball 26 times for 186 yards and 2 touchdowns. This guy is a game changer and defenses must find a way to prevent him from taking over games.
Buffalo Bills Preview
The Buffalo Bills took care of business at home, beating the Denver Broncos 31-7. The Broncos jumped out to a 7-3 lead in the first quarter but the Bills defense made some adjustments and shut them down for the rest of the game.
Buffalo held Denver to 145 yards passing and just 79 yards rushing. The defense just never broke and prevented the rookie QB from getting any momentum in the second half.
On offense, the Bills were led by QB Josh Allen, who went 20 for 26 for 272 yards and 2 touchdowns. Allen did a great job of spreading the ball around, having 6 receivers with multiple catches.
The Bills had a very impressive rushing attack last week, as James Cook carried the ball 23 times for 120 yards and a touchdown.
Previous Matchup
The last time these two played, back in September of this year, the Ravens absolutely spanked the Bills. The Ravens jumped out to a 21-3 lead at halftime and never looked back. The Ravens ended up winning that game, in Baltimore, by the score of 35-10.
If the Buffalo Bills want to have any chance of a different outcome, they are going to have to gameplan on a way to stop Ravens RB Derrick Henry. In the first game, Henry ran 24 times for 199 yards against the Bills.
AFC Divisional Game Prediction
Just not seeing the same drive from the Bills as we do from the Ravens. The Ravens just have more ways to win and we think they get it done for the second time this year, this time in the AFC Divisional Playoffs. If the weather is bad, the Ravens will simply run the ball behind Henry and Jackson. Either way, Ravens get it done!
Pick: Baltimore Ravens +1
