- Analysis
- Chairman on Buffalo
The Buffalo Bills are riding high into the Divisional Round after a dominant 31-7 Wild Card victory over the Denver Broncos. Central to their success is MVP candidate Josh Allen. Following the victory, Buffalo announced that Allen now holds the record for the most playoff games with a passer rating of 135 or higher, surpassing Hall of Famers Kurt Warner, Peyton Manning, and Joe Montana. Against Denver, Allen was clinical, completing 76.9% of his passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns, posting a 135.4 passer rating—his fourth such game in the postseason. Beyond his historic consistency, Allen has been the engine of Buffalo’s offense this season, amassing 40 total touchdowns (28 passing, 12 rushing) and 4,262 total yards. His dual-threat ability was on full display in the Wild Card Round, leading the Bills to 471 total yards and 26 first downs while maintaining relentless pressure on Denver's defense while Bo Nix struggled. Now to a "pick-em' type game with Baltimore. The Ravens’ dynamic rushing attack, led by Derrick Henry and Jackson, promises to test the Bills' defense and Buffalo’s 14-4 record, including a spotless 9-0 mark at home. The Ravens already stunned the Bills in Week 4 with a dominant 35-10 win setting the stage for an intense battle of revenge. The Bills played that first game in September without linebacker Matt Milano. Milano's presence will make an enormous difference, particularly in shadowing Jackson. Milano proved his work last week, going sideline to sideline to keep Bo Nix from running wild. He'll also be a great support against Henry. Henry's numbers in the first game are a little deceptive as well. Henry got 87 of his rushing yards in a first-quarter touchdown burst. That is more than a bit of an anomaly by a Ravens team that finished just 17th in the NFL in explosive plays this season. Ravens Key Injuries: WR Zay Flowers is questionable. WR Deonte Harty, CB Jayln Armour-Davis, CB Arthur Maulet, and CB Christian Matthew are out. The availability of Flowers for the Ravens could be huge in this game as well. Finally, Allen will need to stretch the field. In three of the Ravens' five losses this season, the opposing quarterback averaged 7.3 yards per pass or more. In four of those five losses, the opposing quarterback featured a primary receiver that had eight or more grabs against Baltimore's 31st-ranked pass defense. Allen can and will stretch the field on Sunday. He has been, despite his overall 6-5 record in the playoffs, a very accurate playoff passer that rarely makes mistakes. Veteran wideout Amari Cooper hasn't been called upon to play a massive role for much of the season but this could be his night.
