The Baltimore Ravens are steamrolling opponents one by one, and they just victimized the best team in the NFC. Up ahead for them is another tough test in the form of the Buffalo Bills, who want to make a bigger statement after taking down the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14.
In the much-anticipated meeting between two juggernauts last Sunday, it was the Ravens who came away with the victory, as they defeated the San Francisco 49ers in what could be a preview of Super Bowl 54, 20-17. Lamar Jackson didn’t put up his usual video-game numbers, passing for just 105 yards and a touchdown on 14-of-23 completions and had a fumble, but the Ravens showed that they can win a game against an elite team despite a subpar performance from their dual-threat quarterback. Jackson, however, had 101 rushing yards and a touchdown on 16 carries, which tells a lot how hard it is to slow him down, considering that he was facing the 49ers’ stout defense. He’ll be dealing with another one in the form of the Bills’ defense, but at this point, it’s more or less settled that Jackson can thwart any kind of defense on any given day His struggles are just too few and far in between to cast doubt on his ability to rebound.
The Ravens, who are putting up 33.8 points per contest, are 5-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last six games.
Betting on the Buffalo Bills (9-3)
The Bills defeated the Dallas Cowboys last Sunday, 26-15, and in the process, may have garnered them the respect they are longing. One of the criticisms thrown at the Bills this season has been their lack of wins against quality teams, but taking care of business against the NFC East-leading Cowboys has proven Buffalo is capable of going toe-to-toe with any team. Quarterback Josh Allen was efficient in running the Bills offense against Dallas. Allen went 19 for 24 for 231 passing yards and a touchdown. He also had 43 rushing yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. Allen and the Bills’ rushing attack will be a key to success for them against the Ravens, which got slashed for 178 rushing yards by the 49ers last Sunday. The ground attack makes up for most of the Bills’ offensive identity. In fact, they are fifth in the league with a 46.76 rushing play percentage and are also fifth with an average of 137.9 rushing yards per contest. Defensively, the Bills have the tools to slow down Jackson. They are allowing just 15.7 points and 300.1 total yards per game — both third-best in the league.
The Bills are 3-0 ATS in their last three games overall.
