Two MVP-chasing quarterbacks will go head-to-head at Highmark Stadium on Sunday, as Josh Allen’s Buffalo Bills host Lamar Jackson’s Baltimore Ravens.
In a match-up that would be worthy of gracing the AFC Championship game, these sides meet in the AFC Divisional Round this weekend.
The Bills, who breezed past the Denver Broncos with a 31-7 win last time out, have been flawless at Highmark Stadium this season, with a perfect 9-0 record going into Sunday’s showdown with the Ravens.
Baltimore have looked dangerous on offense in recent weeks and they were too strong for rivals Pittsburgh in the Wild Card Round, as they beat the Steelers 28-14 in Maryland.
Now two heavyweights are preparing to collide at Highmark Stadium and perhaps it will be the Ravens who are the ones left out in the cold in chilly Buffalo.
The home advantage and their impressive record at Highmark Stadium could just give them the edge in this high-pressure encounter on Sunday.
There’s no doubt the Ravens have a tremendous roster and they looked strong in beating the Bills 35-10 at M&T Bank Stadium earlier this season.
However, this game will take place in that unique cold in Buffalo, with temperatures as low as 12 Fahrenheit expected in the area.
It might well be a high-scoring shootout but Allen and this offense know how to get the job done on home turf and, with running back James Cook also set to play a key role on the ground, expect the Bills to edge out an intriguing contest at Highmark Stadium and progress to the AFC Championship game.
The Bills have been posting some serious points on offense this season and, with the Ravens no slouches with the ball either, an end-to-end shootout might well be on the cards here.
While temperates will be extremely cold, no snow is forecasted on Sunday so it should be bone-dry conditions at Highmark Stadium for this one.
That will allow both Allen and Jackson to let loose through the air, while they also have star running backs Cook and Derrick Henry at their disposal this weekend.
Both defenses have been showing signs of improvement since the early season but if one offense gets firing, it will force the other to chance their arm in this contest.
With the Bills averaging 30.9 points per game on offense during the regular season and 21.6 on defense in that spell, going with over 51.5 total points in a contest between two talented teams looks to be the way to punt in this one.
Battling with Philadelphia Eagles star Saquon Barkley in regards to the top running back in the NFL right now, Henry continued his regular-season form into the playoffs.
With a dominant display, Henry ran in two touchdowns against the Broncos, who could do little to stop this formidable runner.
The Bills will be preparing to try and stop Henry this weekend but having a plan and actually seeing it through are two different things.
Henry is good value to bag another two touchdowns at least on Sunday but unfortunatly for him and the Ravens, it might not be enough to reach the AFC Championship game.
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Baltimore Ravens | -115 ML |
Buffalo Bills | -105 ML |
Spread | BAL Ravens -1.0 |
Total Points | O/U 51.5 |
Derrick Henry (BAL Ravens) | -188 |
James Cook (BUF Bills) | -110 |
Josh Allen (BUF Bills) | -110 |
Mark Andrews (BAL Ravens) | +130 |
Rashod Bateman (BAL Ravens) | +140 |
Zay Flowers (BAL Ravens) | +150 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.