The Baltimore Ravens flew into town today ready to take on the Buffalo Bills in a Divisional game. Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, a gifted athlete, presents NFL defenses with migraine headaches with his running ability. Jackson can take over a game–and has several times this season. Just ask the Cleveland Browns and the Tennessee Titans.
The Bills will have to bring their “A” game if they have any hope of staying with the Ravens’ potent running attack. Vegas says the Bills are 2 1/2 point favorites, but the game might be closer than that.
In the early game, Los Angeles Rams vs. Green Bay Packers, the Packers are 7-point favorites. I think Green Bay will win by more than that because the Rams have two injured quarterbacks. Who do you think will win today?
The odds favor the Packers by a lot, but I’m kind of hoping they underestimate the Rams, who have impressed me the last two weeks.
I’ll be rooting for the Bills tonight, but like you, I am very wary of Jackson and the Ravens’ offense.
Jeff, I know Jeff Smith will be watching the Ravens vs. Bills game with great interest. I confess I’m experiencing some anxiety about this game.
I don’t see much hope here for the Rams. This one could be over by halftime. Ravens/Bills should be a much better game, but the prize for the winner is facing the Chiefs next week.
Michael, I know it sounds crazy but the Cleveland Browns might surprise the well-rested Chiefs. I know Deb will be entranced by the Buccaneers vs. the Saints.
I expect the Packers to stomp the Rams, but one never knows. Bills-Ravens is harder to predict—it’s going to be a hard-fought game and might come down to a missed field goal or even a missed point-after-touchdown. But I’ll be rooting for the Bills.
I’m definitely worried about the Saints-Bucs matchup tomorrow. The Saints defeated the Bucs twice during the regular season (making Drew Brees the only NFL quarterback to beat Tom Brady twice in a regular season), but what are the odds of making that three times? Plus, the Saints have looked undisciplined the last couple of games while the Bucs seem to have gotten their second wind. I admit, I’m as concerned about tomorrow’s Saints game as George is concerned about tonight’s Bills game.
Deb, when you get deep into the Playoffs, it’s Anything Can Happen time. As you pointed out, a missed extra point, a missed field goal, a turnover can totally transform the outcome of a game. I’m trying to stay busy and not think about it for the next 8 hours!
I’m hoping the pack will win, but won’t be too sad if the rams do (anything to make the spanos family and the chargers lower in fan base in LA)
I’ll hope for the bills for you george and of course want the saints to win. our paper had an interesting bit about how the saints and bucs games should be played on the history channel due to the ages of the QB’s. they mentioned a meme showing brady as moses and Brees as the dad from Family ties (think they meant family guy, but haven’t seen it)
Maggie, the Bucs vs. Saints game feature the oldest QBs ever to play each other in a Playoff game. The Packers are rested, at home, and ready for the Rams.
I have seen no playoff games so far, (sick in hospital), but may watch one today. F or me they were over when the Seahawks lost, but it’s something to watch, so I’ll root for Bills and Packers.
Rick, glad you’re back home and feeling better! The Bills need all the Good Vibes they can get for this game with the Ravens!
I’m not sanguine about the prospects for either of the Lake Erie teams I’m rooting for. I think your Bills have a fair chance of winning, but will be amazed if the Browns do much of anything. They should have lost last week, and would have if the Steelers hadn’t gifted them 4 TDs in the 1st quarter. But we shall see.
Art
Art, the Cleveland Browns may be this year’s NFL Cinderella team. The Bills face a running juggernaut with Lamar Jackson and the red-hot Ravens.
I think the Browns have accomplished what they wanted to — winning a playoff game — and can lose today and still be happy about their season. The Ravens also won their first playoff game in the Lamar Jackson era, so that’s a step forward for them, but I don’t think that will satisfy the Ravens. If they lose today, they will be extremely disappointed.
I’m going with the odds and expecting the Bills to win. But I won’t be at all surprised if the Ravens do win, as I think they can beat anybody — including themselves. If they don’t make too many mistakes (you wouldn’t believe how many times the offense has been,penalized for illegal formations this season), I like their chances.
I was looking back at Baltimore’s postseason history the other day. During the Joe Flacco period, they were always underdogs. In any big game, even in the regular season. They won more of those than they lost. With Lamar, we’re seldom the underdog.
Sorry to be the only person here not rooting for the Bills, but…Go, Ravens!
The Ravens are the only team that beat the Giants in the Super Bowl (it wasn’t close), as they beat the Rams, the Bills (Scott Norwood, where are you?), and the Brady-led Patriots twice (once in what would have been an undefeated season otherwise).
Jeff, the Ravens are the best team the Bills face this season (and I’m including the Chiefs). I forgot that the Ravens beat the Giants in Super Bowl XXXV.
When I was looking at the Baltimore postseason, I went all the way back to 1958-59, when the Colts beat the Giants twice. The 1958 NFL Championship was called “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” It wasn’t the best played game, but it was one of the most significant. It had a large national tv audience, and it was the first overtime game — it really put the league on the map.
Jeff, if the Bills lose to the Ravens tonight, I’ll be rooting for the Ravens to go to the Super Bowl! No one in Buffalo wanted to play the Ravens–we were hoping for the Steelers–but I suspect we’ll be on the edge of our seats tonight! Go Bills!
Good luck tonight, George.
Rick, the Bills are going to need a lot of luck to beat the Ravens!
Half-way through second quarter, the Ravens are doing what they do when they lose: making tons of mistakes. Not promising for the team in white. And disasters from both kickers?
Jeff, the wind in the Bills Stadium is swirling. Hard to pass and hard to kick field goals. Snow is in the forecast, too!