Ravens vs Bills Betting Odds and Preview | NFL Week 4
Potential AFC playoff preview? The Baltimore Ravens host the Buffalo Bills for the Week 4 edition of Sunday Night Football. Betting analyst Ron Marmalefsky shares his thoughts on this primetime showdown and where each unit can exploit specific matchup advantages.
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Ravens vs Bills Preview
Venue | M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore |
Game Time | 8pm ET / 5pm PT |
Television | NBC |
Point Spread | Baltimore Ravens -2.5 |
Total | 46.5 Points |
Weather | Temps in the Mid 60s with Light Rain and Light Wind |
Buffalo Bills
Buffalo is a deserved 3-0, and is the top team in the NFL when Josh Allen does not take unnecessary risks. Buffalo is currently tied with KC with my highest Power Number. Only the run defense has been suspect. The Bills’ 11-2 sack ratio looks like it will be at or near the top in sack differential all season long. RB Cook has emerged as more than just an efficient runner (4.6 per carry). He is a threat as a receiver as well.
I expect Buffalo to pass more than they have in weeks 1-3. This is a rebuilt WR unit, so it may surprise some when they see a few passes go off-target, which I believe will happen due to lack of familiarity with the new WR’s. look for one, or both TE’s to be heavily involved, and for RB Cook to be utilized as well in the pass game. Defensively, Buffalo must put a “spy” on Lamar Jackson to limit his running. They have 11 defensive sacks, but in this game, I’d reduce blitzes, and work on coverages, to force Lamar to throw into tighter windows.
Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore is 1-2, with curious coaching decisions, plus more than one catch out of bounds preventing them from being 3-0. All three outcomes have been close, but the Ravens continue to squander leads under John Harbaugh. Is the run defense back in form? They’ve allowed 53-150, a year after having their worst outcome in two plus decades. Their 10-3 sack ratio was achieved against teams that I would have expected to hold them back. That’s good news.
I expect Baltimore to start fast per usual, likely with a blend of RB Henry, read options for Lamar, and a heavy dose of Zay Flowers. Typically, WR Agholor gets involved late, not early. Baltimore has allowed 78 points thus far, but two of their opponents, KC and Dallas are high scoring teams. The talent is there, but they must play smarter in crunch time. Their best approach would be to disguise coverages vs. Josh Allen, and come in with a very diverse defensive game plan.
Keys to Success
For Buffalo, stay turnover free, and sit back and force Lamar Jackson to use his arm to beat you. Buffalo’s defensive secondary has overachieved just a bit considering their lack of health, plus all the roster defections last offseason.
For Baltimore, hope RB Henry can wear down Buffalo at the line of scrimmage, and find a way to make Josh Allen throw and run on their terms, and not on Buffalo’s terms. We’ve seen Allen fumble in the past. Baltimore is a solid tackling team.
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