The Bills are a 3.0 point favorite per Caesars Sportsbook for Sunday's battle against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
Here's a list of game predictions from NFL analysts.
Buffalo's secondary is hurting at the wrong time, heading into another game against one of the league's top passing outfits. Then again, Baltimore doesn't have much beyond Lamar Jackson right now. The Ravens' running backs are stuck in quicksand, they are on their fourth left tackle, the run defense is struggling, and the rookies in the secondary are getting picked on. That's too many flaws for this Bills team to pick apart.
Prediction: Bills 33, Ravens 28
MDS's take: Two of the best teams in the league meeting in what could be an AFC playoff preview. I think both quarterbacks will play well, but the Ravens' defense is going to give Josh Allen a few more big-play opportunities.
MDS's pick: Bills 35, Ravens 30.
Florio's take: Buffalo won't step on a rake for a second straight week.
Florio's pick: Bills 31, Ravens 27.
Lamar Jackson has accounted for more offensive touchdowns on his own (12) than 30 of 32 NFL teams. The only exceptions are the Ravens (he's accounted for all of their offensive touchdowns) and the Lions, who also have 12.
Josh Allen dropped back to pass 71 times in last week's loss to the Dolphins. That's the most dropbacks for a quarterback in a single game in TruMedia's database, which goes back to 2000.
Both quarterbacks are off to MVP-caliber starts this season. There's a scenario where Allen lights up this Ravens defense and the Bills' pass rush harasses Jackson all afternoon. But given how banged up the Bills' secondary is and how grueling that Week 3 game was, I'm going with Baltimore.
The pick: Ravens (+3)
The Bills are playing consecutive road games, which is always tough. But they are also coming off their first loss and have major injury issues. The Ravens have injury problems as well. Both quarterbacks are playing at an MVP level. So look for a lot of points as Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson shoot it out. Look for the Bills to get the best of it and get back in the win column.
Predictions: Bills 35, Ravens 30
The Bills lost to Miami straight up as big favorites despite Josh Allen throwing for 400 yards. This week they get put to the test all over again, taking on the N.F.L.'s highest scoring offense. Lamar Jackson has thrown three or more touchdown passes in each of his starts and last week ran for over 100 yards for the second straight game. These are two of the best teams in the league, and they should score a lot of points. Still, the outcome should be close, and giving the Ravens more than a field goal at home the way they are playing is disrespectful.
Pick: Ravens +4
The Ravens are not going to want to hear about injuries in the secondary. That is what doomed them in 2021. As it stands, you get Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen in an early window with elite top-five offense. Both teams were in a close-game situation in losses to Miami. Which teams learned their lesson?
Pick: Bills 34, Ravens 30
