Buffalo is one in every of 5 3-0 groups within the NFL, whilst the Baltimore Ravens are hungry to turn out they’re nonetheless on par with groups just like the Expenses within the AFC.
When the groups meet on Sunday night time in Baltimore, the Ravens could have no less than something going for them: They’re website hosting their 2nd annual “Darkness Falls” recreation, a college-style stadium blackout that has Lamar Jackson pumped.
“Listening to the ‘Flock,’ simply seeing all black right through the gang, it is like you’ll be able to’t break out,” the quarterback stated with a smile. “It is one thing about it, guy, I will be able to’t in reality describe it. Just like the darkish aspect.”
The Ravens (1-2) did not want house cooking to defeat the Dallas Cowboys closing Sunday, regardless that they let a 22-point lead dwindle within the fourth quarter ahead of profitable 28-25. Baltimore has been outscored 32-7 within the fourth quarter of its previous two video games.
Derrick Henry racked up 151 of the Ravens’ 274 speeding yards vs. the Cowboys and scored the 3rd and fourth touchdowns of his debut season in Baltimore. Jackson ran for 87 yards and a ranking, and Justice Hill added 33 yards on 5 carries.
“They’re more or less a just right 1-2 punch,” trainer John Harbaugh stated of Henry and Hill. “They play off each and every different in reality neatly. They run the similar performs, too, however in addition they run other performs now and then. I simply suppose it is a just right alternate of tempo for the protection.”
The Ravens proceed to tweak their protection, including cross rusher Yannick Ngakoue to their apply squad previous this week. Ngakoue has totaled 69 occupation sacks for 6 groups, together with 9 video games for Baltimore in 2020. Baltimore’s Kyle Van Noy is tied for 3rd within the league with 4 sacks.
As for the Expenses, there was little to nitpick this 12 months.
After creaming the Jacksonville Jaguars 47-10 on Monday night time, the Expenses have a plus-64 scoring differential, tops within the league. Their turnover differential is plus-5 — best Inexperienced Bay’s is healthier — and so they rank within the most sensible 10 in general protection (286.7 yards allowed consistent with recreation), passing protection (168.3) and scoring protection (16 issues consistent with recreation).
Josh Allen leads an offense this is scoring 37.3 issues consistent with recreation, any other league top. He picked aside the Jaguars for 4 passing touchdowns ahead of halftime on Monday night time.
Allen received AFC Offensive Participant of the Week, one week after operating again James Prepare dinner received the distinction for his three-touchdown recreation towards the Miami Dolphins. Buffalo’s Gregory Rousseau received AFC Defensive Participant of the Week for a three-sack recreation in Week 1.
“It is a disgrace our O-line can not win Offensive Participant of the Week,” Allen quipped, “as a result of they play their tails off. Or even going again to Week 2, James was once in a position to win that on account of what our O-line’s doing.”
Damar Hamlin grabbed his first occupation interception within the Jacksonville blowout. It was once an emotional second for Hamlin, who suffered cardiac arrest all over a recreation towards the Cincinnati Bengals lower than 20 months in the past.
“We stay it easy and everyone’s holding the staff first,” Hamlin stated on “The Pat McAfee Display” on Tuesday. “Buffalo is a unique position to be.”
The Expenses have dominated out linebacker Terrel Bernard (pec) and cornerback Taron Johnson (forearm) for Sunday, and rookie offensive lineman Tylan Grable (groin) might be out for more than one weeks. Cornerback Kaiir Elam (neck) was once restricted in Wednesday’s walkthrough.
The Ravens are coping with a banged-up offensive line. Heart Tyler Linderbaum (knee), left guard Andrew Vorhees (ankle) and proper take on Patrick Mekari (neck) overlooked Wednesday’s apply when they performed each snap of the Dallas recreation. Nostril take on Michael Pierce (shoulder) and cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis (hamstring) additionally sat out Wednesday, whilst linebacker Roquan Smith (ankle) was once restricted.
The Expenses have received two directly conferences with the Ravens, together with a victory within the divisional spherical of the 2020-21 playoffs.
–Box Stage Media