The Buffalo Bills just made the playoffs for the first time since 1999 last season, but repeating that feat for the second time in a row seems unlikely for a team that lacks depth and talent – at least on paper. A win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1, however, could give the Bills a shot of confidence in the arm that they could use to change the narrative. At press, the Bills are priced at +1700 to win the AFC East while the Ravens are +325 to win the AFC North. Read on for a preview between this two sleeper teams.
The man that will be starting under center for the Bills in Baltimore this Sunday is the same man that threw five interceptions in half in a game against the Los Angeles Chargers last season. That’s Nathan Peterman, who was named as the Bills’ starter over rookie Josh Allen.
Peterman had a solid preseason campaign, but he’s far from an inspiring option for the Bills, who averaged just 17.9 points and 300.3 total yards per game last year. There is also a big challenge for the Bills’ offensive line after seeing the pair of Eric Wood and Richie Incognito retire in the offseason.
In any case, running back LeSean McCoy should see a ton of touches in Week 1. The veteran tailback rushed for 1,138 yards and six touchdowns on 287 carries last season.
On the other side of the field, Buffalo’s defense shored up their stop unit that gave up 126.4 rushing yards per game in 2017 with the addition of Star Lotulelei and Harrison Phillips in the offseason.
The Bills are 3-1 ATS in their last four road games.
Betting on the Baltimore Ravens (-7)
Is this Joe Flacco’s last season as the quarterback of Baltimore? That is still to be determined, and on Sunday, the Super Bowl-winning signal-caller will be the one taking snaps under center against the Bills. Flacco have plenty of new receivers to work with this year, as Michael Crabtree, John Brown, and Willie Snead are all newcomers to the team that finished fourth worst in the league in 2017 with only 189.4 passing yards per game.
Flacco’s arm will be complemented by the legs of running back Alex Collins, who will serve as the No. 1 RB for the team. Collins led the Ravens last season with 973 rushing yards and six rushing scores.
The Ravens, who allowed just 18.9 points per game last season, are 4-1 SU in their last five home games. They are also 5-5 ATS in their last 10 games as in which they are the favorites.
