I'm sure Buffalo will try to do the same thing, keep the ball out of Lamar's hands. You aren't going to pass up easy scores for time off the clock, but you can control the game. To a degree Buffalo did that today. They had the ball 41+ minutes. They do that next week the odds of them winning go up quite a bit. Same with the Ravens, they had 40 minutes TOP. They do that next week and they probably are on to their second straight AFCC. It only stands to reason that with two high powered offenses if you can limit the amount of times they touch the ball you increase your chances of winning.

2024 Season: AFC Divisional Round @ Buffalo Jan. 19th 6:30PM
#21
Posted 12 January 2025 - 07:23 PM
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#22
Posted 12 January 2025 - 07:32 PM
Not really. You can only be +1 in drives (pending onsides kicks), so Allen will have the ball in his hands roughly the same amount as Lamar has it in his.It only stands to reason that with two high powered offenses if you can limit the amount of times they touch the ball you increase your chances of winning.
Using run game to have extended drives lowers the number of drives per game for both teams. That can be a benefit, or neutral, or even a detriment to your chances depending on some other factors.
I've got no issues with the Ravens having long scoring drives, but I don't think it's an inherent advantage to reduce the total number of drives this game. Not a disadvantage either, I'd call it neutral since it's a pretty even matchup. But more drives is generally a benefit for the better team, as it's like playing more football. The larger the sample, the more likely the superior team comes out in top.
Just score. And stop them from scoring. I don't think any one style benefits the Ravens more than another in this one.
#23
Posted 12 January 2025 - 07:40 PM
Whats the early weather report. It will obviously be cold. Not sure if wind or precip favors one team or another. Lamar bwing the best playmaker ever Id prefer him in ideal conditions so makes me want to say little wind and no precip
#24
Posted 12 January 2025 - 07:57 PM
Early weather for Buffalo which can obviously change.
Saturday: Highs in the 30's, rain/snow showers early morning, wind 10-15 mph.
Sunday: Much colder, high of 22 but clear, wind 10-15 mph.
#25
Posted 12 January 2025 - 08:49 PM
Just stay the course. What worked against the Steelers will work against Buffalo. They don't have the front-line Pittsburgh has. They're relatively small and can be pushed around by a big OL. Play a clean game and the Ravens should win. They're just better. Hopefully, the weather won't be an X factor like the last time they went there in the play-offs.
#26
Posted 12 January 2025 - 08:54 PM
Not really. You can only be +1 in drives (pending onsides kicks), so Allen will have the ball in his hands roughly the same amount as Lamar has it in his.
Using run game to have extended drives lowers the number of drives per game for both teams. That can be a benefit, or neutral, or even a detriment to your chances depending on some other factors.
I've got no issues with the Ravens having long scoring drives, but I don't think it's an inherent advantage to reduce the total number of drives this game. Not a disadvantage either, I'd call it neutral since it's a pretty even matchup. But more drives is generally a benefit for the better team, as it's like playing more football. The larger the sample, the more likely the superior team comes out in top.
Just score. And stop them from scoring. I don't think any one style benefits the Ravens more than another in this one.
In the Ravens case, I think it's a huge benefit. Not only keeping Allen on the sideline but I can almost guarantee you if Baltimore rushes for 200 yards, they'll win the game. And I'm not even talking about huge chunk runs. Just keep moving the chains and eating up the clock with drives culminating in touchdowns and not FG's. What worked last night will work in Buffalo. No doubt in my mind. But I do agree with you that the Ravens and Lamar can beat you through the air too. They're obviously not a one-dimensional offense.
#27
Posted 12 January 2025 - 08:59 PM
Rushing for a ton of yards is great if you can finish the drives which the Ravens are great at so agree if they run for 200 they're gonna win, but that's because of the offensive efficiency (points per drive) that goes with that.In the Ravens case, I think it's a huge benefit.
Just using up time isn't an advantage, IMO. I think the Ravens are the better team, so I also think a longer game is in their favor. Longer drives means fewer drives. I'd rather both QBs have 10 or 11 chances than 8 or 9 as I think that mitigates weird stuff that could happen.
Not a big of a deal for this game as the teams are so close, but I do think the Ravens are better so not at all against a more up tempo game.
#28
Posted 12 January 2025 - 09:10 PM
#29
Posted 12 January 2025 - 11:16 PM
Game will be next Sunday at 6:30 ET on CBS.
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#30
Posted 12 January 2025 - 11:32 PM
No snow, no terrible winds. Game time temps will likely be around 19 degrees.
#31
Posted 12 January 2025 - 11:43 PM
- BSLChrisStoner likes this
There is baseball, and occasionally there are other things of note
"Now OPS sucks. Got it."
"Making his own olive brine is peak Mackus."
"I'm too hungover to watch a loss." - McNulty
@bopper33
#32
Posted 13 January 2025 - 12:56 AM
Hate playing last.
But that officially puts us in the Final Five!
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#33
Posted 13 January 2025 - 03:12 AM
I hate that the Bills (and the NYC teams) have been allowed to play in stadiums without field heaters. Football there in winter is such an unnecessarily difficult slog with heightened injury risks. They could have at least gone the way of Lambeau and heated the turf to a minimum temp so its not literally frozen solid.
#34
Posted 13 January 2025 - 08:06 AM
This is kind of sour grapes but whatever we're on a fan forum.
I hate that the Bills (and the NYC teams) have been allowed to play in stadiums without field heaters. Football there in winter is such an unnecessarily difficult slog with heightened injury risks. They could have at least gone the way of Lambeau and heated the turf to a minimum temp so its not literally frozen solid.
Eh. Whatever. If you make all 32 stadiums have the same standards, you lose that home field advantage. I'm the opposite. I like it. They're used to it. They're conditioned for it. And most teams below the Mason-Dixon line aren't. It gives them a distinct advantage this time of year.
#35
Posted 13 January 2025 - 08:21 AM
Rushing for a ton of yards is great if you can finish the drives which the Ravens are great at so agree if they run for 200 they're gonna win, but that's because of the offensive efficiency (points per drive) that goes with that.
Just using up time isn't an advantage, IMO. I think the Ravens are the better team, so I also think a longer game is in their favor. Longer drives means fewer drives. I'd rather both QBs have 10 or 11 chances than 8 or 9 as I think that mitigates weird stuff that could happen.
Not a big of a deal for this game as the teams are so close, but I do think the Ravens are better so not at all against a more up tempo game.
I agree with this point. Long, time consuming drives are a double edged sword. If they're ending in TD's, then yeah, whatever. But when you're the better team, you'd rather have more chances.
This is a game where I think it's two very similar teams. More similar than a lot of people realize. They're defense is not a strength as it normally had been in the past. Its good. With Milano and Miller, it's better up front then the first tine we played them. But not great. Offensively, they want to run the ball. They want the offense to go through Cook. If they can establish a consistent run game, they're a near impossible offense to stop. Very similar to Baltimore. If Henry is consistently getting 5+, you're not stopping them.
The thing is, Allen has a greater tendency to trust his arm too much, and make riskier throws. Over his career, he has been more likely to turn it over than Lamar. Ravens have to force a turnover or two, and steal some possessions from Buffalo. As I said in the other thread, Buffalo 100% wants to score a TD first. They want to put Baltimore in a hole early to try and force that panic that has shown up in the past. Their goal will be to get the ball first, get 6, then force a punt and go get at least 3 again. Everyone thinks Lamar and the Ravens are incapable of coming back from 2 possessions down, because of past results. If that happens, Lamar needs to take control and not allow himself to do what he's done in the past. Play within the offense, and chip away. Ravens are the better team. But Buffalo can definitely win this game, especially if Allen goes supernova on our defense.
I just don't see that personally. I think Baltimore has been locked in since the bye. I honestly believe we beat them, possibly by 2 possessions. I'll back off of my original 'we're going to smoke them' claim. They are a good football team. And Allen is also locked in, as is Cook and Shakir. And they're at home. With that said, my gut tells me, we're heading to KC next week.
#36
Posted 13 January 2025 - 08:42 AM
Eh. Whatever. If you make all 32 stadiums have the same standards, you lose that home field advantage. I'm the opposite. I like it. They're used to it. They're conditioned for it. And most teams below the Mason-Dixon line aren't. It gives them a distinct advantage this time of year.
Yeah I'm fine with it, I mean the Dolphins built their stadium so the road sideline has no shade which I'm sure has helped them in some games where it's still pretty hot in September. If the Ravens wanted to play this game in slightly warmer weather they should've beaten the Raiders and/or Browns.
#37
Posted 13 January 2025 - 08:44 AM
#38
Posted 13 January 2025 - 08:59 AM
#39
Posted 13 January 2025 - 09:01 AM
But I get the over arching point. Handle your own business.
There is baseball, and occasionally there are other things of note
"Now OPS sucks. Got it."
"Making his own olive brine is peak Mackus."
"I'm too hungover to watch a loss." - McNulty
@bopper33
#40
Posted 13 January 2025 - 09:01 AM
The Allen vs Jackson thing I am done with. Allen is awesome. Jackson is awesome. Chances are whichever QB gets less pressure wins the game. The Ravens can do well to limit pressure on drop backs by running a lot and running well. This is a coin flip game to me.
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