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Article Week One Preview: Buffalo Bills at Baltimore Ravens

29BmoreBird22

Staff Member
Moderator
Writer
We are finally here. We are finally to the opening day for the Baltimore Ravens, and if you’re anything like me, you may have wondered how you ever survived the offseason. The last game that we had the unfortunate displeasure of watching was a heartbreaking loss to the Cincinnati Bengals to officially close the chapter on the 2017 season. In what was a win and in game for the playoffs, the Ravens folded, allowing a 49 yard touchdown pass to Tyler Boyd with just 0:49 left on the clock.

Your 2018 Baltimore Ravens, however, look like a drastically different team from that team that crumpled and fell apart with the season on the line. Gone are the days of relying on the likes of Breshad Perriman and whatever sixth string corner was around on another team’s practice squad. Welcome to the days of having a real wide receiver corp, spearheaded by Michael Crabtree and John “Smoke” Brown, and cornerback depth teams would drool over.

On the flipside, we have the Buffalo Bills. While the Bills may have inexplicably snuck into the 2017 playoffs, that almost assuredly will not be the case in 2018 based off what is being seen on paper. Quite honestly, this might be the least talented roster in the NFL… yes, that means the Bills might have a less talented roster than the Cleveland Browns, the Cincinnati Bengals, the New York Jets, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Try to let that one sink in for a second.

Without further ado, let us go ahead and look into actual game match-ups that will determine the outcome of the first game of the 2018 NFL season for your Baltimore Ravens.

Joe Flacco vs the Buffalo Bills Secondary:

This is easily the biggest match up of the game to watch, for me. The Bills are not exactly a star studded secondary, but if Vontae Davis plays well like he is capable of, he and Tre’Davious White could form a strong cornerback duo. Add in the recent acquisitions of Jordan Poyer from Cleveland and Micah Hyde from Green Bay and this is a totally new look secondary looking to make their name.

However, the reason this match up will be one to watch is not due to what the Bills have to offer. It is because Joe Flacco has looked nothing like the Joe Flacco of 2015 on. If the 2018 preseason is any indication, gone are the check down throws and errant throws that led to just 18 touchdown passes and a career low (and NFL low) 5.7 yards per attempt. Instead, Joe Flacco has looked aggressive, attacking defenses down the field, accurate on his throws, finishing with a completion percentage of 75% this preseason, and most importantly, appeared poised in the pocket and in control of this offense. Could all of this be due to the new additions of Michael Crabtree, John Brown, and Willie Snead or could this be due to the arrival of Lamar Jackson threatening to take the reigns if Joe Flacco slips up? Either way, Flacco looks even better than the quarterback who led the Ravens to five straight postseason appearances from 2008 to 2012.

The Ravens Secondary vs Nathan Peterman

Outside of Kelvin Benjamin, the Buffalo Bills really do not have a receiver that is worth talking about. Think of the 2017 Baltimore Ravens and the Bills have it worse than that. Yes, it is that bad in Buffalo.

Instead, this match up is relevant because the Buffalo Bills will be starting Nathan Peterman at quarterback. Fans will fondly remember Peterman for his week 11 start vs the Los Angeles Chargers where Peterman threw a whopping five interceptions before being replaced by former starter Tyrod Taylor. Will a year have made a big difference for Peterman or is the Bills quarterback situation really that dire that rookie Josh Allen could not wrestle the job away from Peterman?

For the Ravens, all eyes will be on the secondary when the defense takes the field. Jimmy Smith is suspended for the first four games of the season due to violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. This means that the Ravens will get an extended look, again, at Marlon Humphrey, whether they wanted to or not. The Ravens will also be seeing Tavon Young take the field again after losing his entire sophomore season to an ACL tear. And then there is the question of how Wink Martindale use Tony Jefferson after a disappointing first season with the Ravens that seemed to feature Jefferson more at free safety than strong safety, contrary to what would seem intuitive. There are a lot of questions regarding the secondary and how they will play, but the one thing everyone should likely agree on is that they have it easy for their first game to break it all in.

The Ravens Pass Rush vs the Buffalo Bills Offensive Line

Much like the quarterback and wide receiver situation, the Buffalo Bills would like to have a do over on what shaped up to be their traffic con… I mean, offensive line. When looking at this offensive line, it actually becomes a little easier to agree with the Bills choice to sit Josh Allen. It would be ideal to avoid a Kyle Boller situation that the Ravens faced where a poor offensive line and numerous sacks shatters the confidence of the young NFL signal caller. Boy oh boy do I hope the Ravens absolutely break the will of Nathan Peterman; though, by taking him to the ground on each and every pass attempt.

If there was one thing that triggered Ravens fans more than the blown fourth quarter leads, it was Dean Pees calling what many described as a bland four-man rush. Gone are those days and in are the days of new defensive coordinator Wink Martindale. Martindale, known for one abysmal season with the Denver Broncos 2010, seems to have a more aggressive plan in mind, as he should be. The Ravens have a wide array of pass rushers available to them in Terrell Suggs, Tim Williams, Matt Judon, and Brent Urban. If there was ever a game to dial it up and turn the entire pass rush loose, this would be the game.

Final Score Prediction

I cannot view a realistic scenario in which the Ravens lose this game, not that I have ever thought that before (looking at you, week 17). The Bills and Ravens are just on different levels on the football field and this truly should be an easy game to start the season off right.

Final Score: Buffalo Bills: 10, Baltimore Ravens: 31

Bold Stat Prediction:

I'm really drinking the purple kool-aid right now when it comes to Joe Flacco. He was superb in the two preseason games he played and every single report from camp suggests this is the best Joe Flacco we will have ever seen. I'm totally buying into it and so my bold stat prediction of the week is...

Joe Flacco will complete over 60% of his passes for over 250 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions.
 
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Dom McRaven

Hall of Famer
Even when I didn't comment on every single one of your preview write-ups, I've always enjoyed reading them and this one is no exception. Salute to you, sir.
 

29BmoreBird22

Staff Member
Moderator
Writer
Even when I didn't comment on every single one of your preview write-ups, I've always enjoyed reading them and this one is no exception. Salute to you, sir.
I very much appreciate the kind words. I'm very glad that I can provide the Ravens community here with something enjoyable to read.
 

29BmoreBird22

Staff Member
Moderator
Writer
id add one more vs that's probably fairly key to the game:
Kyle Williams vs Matt Skura
I try to only do three match ups and it's sometimes a really tough call to pick out simply three. And sometimes I go in a completely different direction and write about story lines to watch. Depends on my mood.

BUT, with that said, yes, the match up of Skura vs Williams/Lotulelei has me worried. As you pointed out in another thread, if Skura can't hold his ground and he gets pushed back into the pull lanes of either guard, it's gonna be a very long day for the run game. I'm also, honestly, worried about how James Hurst will do against Trent Murphy. Last time we saw Murphy, he was putting up 9.0 sacks and the last time we saw Hurst at tackle, he was putting up the two worst grades PFF had ever seen.

I'm just really worried, honestly, and hope Brown replaces Hurst before too long because if Skura is your only weak spot, you can plan around that a bit easier than having a weak spot in two spots on the right side of your line.
 

allblackraven

Hall of Famer
I hope we don't try to force the issue and start with the strong running intentions. That would help so much with opening Bills for Flacco and receivers. Bills secondary is a pretty good unit.
 

rossihunter2

Staff Member
Moderator
I hope we don't try to force the issue and start with the strong running intentions. That would help so much with opening Bills for Flacco and receivers. Bills secondary is a pretty good unit.

First play of the game I want us to run a pitch to the left with Yanda and maxx pulling all the way across the formation and hopefully creating a lane for collins outside Stanley
 

RavensMania

Staff Member
Administrator
With the rain, looks as though will have to wait to see the true passing attack atleast another week.
 
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