The second-best rushing assault in the league, the Ravens, will be facing the Buffalo Bills defense. In Week 4, can the defense rise to the occasion?
One of Sean McDermott’s team’s toughest early-season tests will come in Week 4 when the Buffalo Bills defense takes on the Baltimore Ravens.
The Bills take on the second-best rushing assault in the NFL, the Ravens, after easily defeating the Miami Dolphins in Week 2 and the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 3.
The Ravens are averaging close to 200 yards per game through three weeks. Derrick Henry, a running back, has 281 yards on the ground, including two touchdowns and 151 yards last week at Dallas.
Lamar Jackson, a perennial MVP contender, adds 247 yards of his own, including 122 yards against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Super Bowl champions, in Week 1. Last week, on 14 carries, the reigning NFL MVP scored 87 yards and a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys.
For Jackson, who uses his dual skill set to test defenses once a week, it is nothing new. But the Ravens lacked Henry’s back for a number of years. In his nine-year career, the former Tennessee Titan gained more over 1,000 yards five times, with 2,057 yards in 2020.
J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards, the former backs, were adequate, but Henry used to be a running champion. The Bills will face their toughest test of the season thus far against Henry and Jackson’s two-headed offense.
In Week 1, Buffalo defeated the Arizona Cardinals 34-28 by controlling the game. But the rush defense has not really been put to the test in the last two weeks.
In Week 2, Buffalo defeated division opponent Miami 24-10 at the half thanks to the play of Josh Allen. In Week 3, Allen did the same thing against Jacksonville, throwing four touchdowns in the first half to give the Bills a commanding 34-3 lead at the intermission.
How the Baltimore Ravens Rushing Attack Can Be Stopped by the Buffalo Bills Defense
No More Sleep for the Perverse?
When one side jumps out to a big lead, the opposing team has to rely a lot on passing to catch up. As a result, the defense will have more chances to exploit dangers that an offensive would not often take. Trevor Lawrence was picked off by the Bills last week, and they also sacked him five times, to achieve that.
Because of a more well-rounded approach, the Ravens have also jumped out to leads over the past two weeks. Jackson’s dual-threat talent always provides the Ravens a chance to rally, even when the team is behind. Baltimore will put the Bills defense to the test to see if it is among the best in the NFL with multiple new starters at every level of the defense.
Matt Milano, a linebacker, tore his biceps during the preseason, forcing him to miss the entire season. Tre’Davious White and Jordan Poyer, two former mainstays of the secondary, left in free agency. After suffering a forearm injury in Week 1’s game against Arizona, starting safety Taron Johnson has also missed the most of the season.
Planning for Achievement
Despite their 3-0 record, the Bills’ offensive bursts in the first half are mostly responsible for their success. After three weeks, Buffalo’s defense ranks 16th against the run. Terrel Benard, a linebacker, and Johnson will not play against Baltimore.
This increases the pressure on Baylon Spector, Dorian Thompson, and Nicholas Morrow to contribute more to the defense’s second level. Given that CB Ja’Marcus Ingram has a sack and two interceptions this season, Buffalo may use more nickel coverage.
McDermott is renowned for his ability to combine a strong pass rush with a variety of coverages. Like he always does, Jackson will tear up the field once more. The defensive line and blitzers pursuing him will become fatigued as a result. Like any defense, the Buffalo Bills defense has to hope to stop the Baltimore Ravens running game.
Henry and Jackson will receive their yards. Restricting huge plays and keeping Jackson in the pocket will be crucial, though. If not, the defense might become weary and drop the season opener.
