Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Bills will look to start their 2024 season 4-0 when they travel to Baltimore to take on the Ravens on “Sunday Night Football”.
To do that, here are my three keys to the game, plus notes and stats:
1.) Defensive discipline and physicality
It sounds very cliche, but it’s true and always the case when playing the Ravens. Defenders have to stay true to their fundamentals, under control, and not try to make the heroic play.
If a defensive player allows quarterback Lamar Jackson a lane, he will take advantage and take off. Forcing him to be patient and make a decision can help prevent that.
But now with Derrick Henry in the backfield, it becomes even more important to stay gap-sound across the line of scrimmage, and make sure neither can find an opening.
Getting Henry to go lateral will be a key to stopping him. But when he does run straight ahead, players have to be willing and ready to take him on and be physical.
2.) Big pass plays and YAC
The Ravens have given up 16 pass plays of, at least, 20 yards this season, the most in the entire league. They also have allowed the third-most yards after catch.
The Bills have gained the sixth-most yards after catch in the NFL, and have eight pass plays of, at least, 20 yards, tied for 10th in the NFL.
The Bills may look to make big plays through the air by getting the ball to their play-makers in space, and letting them do the work after the catch.
3.) Tucker and Bass
Both teams’ kickers have had their struggles going back to last year.
For the Ravens, veteran Justin Tucker is hitting at a rate of only 84% on his field goal attempts since the start of 2022, and is just 10 for his last 21 beyond 50 yards, including 0-for-2 this season.
For the Bills, Tyler Bass is just 82.8% on field goal attempts since the start of last season. Bass had one of his extra point attempts blocked last week.
If this game is close and comes down to a late kick, one of these kickers will have a big say in the outcome, and be looking to turn those trends around.
NOTES AND STATS:
