The Buffalo Bills host the Baltimore Ravens in Week 8 of the NFL after a bye week. The hosts have a 5–1 record and lead the AFC East. The visitors have dropped to fourth in the AFC North after two consecutive defeats. The Ravens need to get back into contention for top spot, but taking a defensive approach against this Buffalo team looks questionable. The hosts' offence forces opponents to respond with points rather than simply wait for a mistake.
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills score in a variety of ways. Their quarterback can move the ball with his legs, while James Cook poses a constant threat on the ground. Simply shutting down deep passes is not enough. The Bills average 32.8 points per game — the highest figure in the league. Five of their six games this season have produced at least 54 points in total. Their defence is also a factor: Buffalo concede 28.5 points per game. Before their bye week, opponents scored 29, 34 and 30 points against them. The team have to maintain a high tempo until almost the end of every game.
Baltimore Ravens
The picture is more complicated for the Baltimore Ravens. Lamar Jackson has missed three games with an ankle injury, and the offence averaged just 17.7 points per game with Tyler Huntley. The coach hopes to have his star quarterback back for the trip to Buffalo, but no final decision has been made. That matters for the points total: a fit Jackson is dangerous both through the air and on the ground. There is also Derrick Henry, who is difficult to stop once he gets up to speed. However, we cannot ignore recent results. The Ravens scored just 10 points against the Cleveland Browns and 13 against Cincinnati. Without their starting quarterback, reaching the score we need becomes much harder.
Buffalo Bills vs Baltimore Ravens Prediction
The previous meeting between these teams ended in a Buffalo Bills win (41:40). We do not need another 81 points: even a 31:24 scoreline would clear our chosen total. The hosts are capable of contributing most of the points themselves, while their defence regularly gives opponents opportunities to respond. If Jackson returns without significant limitations, the Baltimore Ravens will have enough ways to keep trading touchdowns. Our pick is over 53.5 points. The main risk is the fitness of the visitors' quarterback rather than the Bills' tempo.
