What is the X-factor in the Bills vs Ravens game?
Welcome back to our weekend chat, Buffalo Bills fans. Head to the comments to share your thoughts.
While many Buffalo Bills will play a significant role on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens, in this weekend’s chat, we are looking for the X-factor. Per Merriam-Webster, that’s defined as “a person that has a strong but unpredictable influence.”
So let’s focus on that word “unpredictable”. Who has the ability to swing this game in an unpredictable way?
The last time these two teams met in the postseason, it was a Taron Johnson pick-six from his own end zone that was the difference in the game. (Shoutout to Tre’Davious White for running the length of the field to block Lamar Jackson, too.)
We know Josh Allen will have a strong and mostly predictable influence on the game. Ditto Sean McDermott, the Bills head coach, though his late-game management has left a lot to be desired.
Who is going to be the unpredictably strong force this weekend? I have some names but want you to drop yours in the comments.
Kicker Tyler Bass
We’ve talked since last January about how unpredictable Bass is. He missed a game-tying field goal in January 2024 that may have been important against the Chiefs. Buffalo lost that game. Then during the season, he hit a 61-yard game-winning field goal against Miami. So are we going to get a delicious bass from Napoleon Dynamite or are we gonna get the stinky microwaved leftover fish?
DC Bobby Babich
We’ve never seen Babich call a defense in such a big moment, where Joe Brady was the play-caller for last year’s Divisional Round loss. What is Babich going to dial up to keep the most impressive offense in the NFL under wraps and how are they going to counteract the physicality of the Ravens’ offensive line and DerrickHerny?
CB Rasul Douglas
Christian Benford has played very well this season at one cornerback spot, but Rasul Douglas has been hit and miss. He takes chances and is very physical, sometimes drawing flags. He may get some help with Zay Flowers out, but he’s a high-variance player at CB. He could get two picks or he could be burned for two big plays.
S Cole Bishop/Taylor Rapp
Damar Hamlin tends to be in the right spot at all times to not get beat deep. The same can’t be said for the rookie Bishop, who could sub in for Hamlin, and strong safety Taylor Rapp. Rapp has been burned on deep throws for two straight weeks now. Stopping big plays has been a hallmark of the McDermott defense, so this is important.
LB Matt Milano/Terrel Bernard
We know these guys are solid, but I put them here because they weren’t in the previous game against Baltimore. Can Milano and Bernard be in the right position to stop a big Derrick Henry run? Sean McDermott’s team has limited big plays in the passing game, but they have given up long runs in the past.
WR Amari Cooper
This feels weird to put Cooper in here, but he has been held in check since joining the Bills. Eight games, just 297 yards for Buffalo this season is not what we were hoping for. But if they can unlock Cooper in the postseason, he’s capable of a huge game. He’s averaging 14.9 yards per catch with the Bills and has made highlight-reel plays in the past. He was out-snapped by four different receivers, two tight ends, and two running backs in the Wild Card game and played just five more snaps than the sixth offensive lineman, Alec Anderson.
Welcome to the weekend, Buffalo Bills fans. After a long week, it’s time to blow off a little steam. Use this thread to talk about… well, whatever it is you’d like to talk about. Maybe you’d like to share a cool story from your week.