By McKenna Middlebrook / Billswire.usatoday.com
The Buffalo Bills, who sit at 9-3, have one of the toughest challenges of their season on Sunday when the 10-2 Baltimore Ravens come to New Era Field.
Both teams are led by strong defenses and young, dynamic quarterbacks. Buffalo has a chance to clinch just their second playoff birth this decade with a win against Super Bowl hopefuls, Baltimore Ravens.
With plenty at stake, here are the key matchups to watch when the Bills square off against the Ravens:
John Brown vs. Marcus Peters
Wide receiver John Brown is having his best seasons of his career with the Bills. So far this season he has 882 yards, averaging 14.5 yards per catch, and he has caught five touchdowns. All impressive stats for who was considered a ‘burner’ by many NFL pundits, and nothing more. Brown has been used as a deep threat by Buffalo’s this season, but his use in the intermediate and short routes has added an extra element in Buffalo’s offense.
Defensive back Marcus Peters joined the Baltimore Ravens via trade from the Los Angeles Rams in October. Since his arrival in Baltimore he has helped transform the Ravens secondary into one of the best in the NFL. Peters this season has five interceptions, three of them coming in a Ravens uniform. Peters is also a threat when he has the ball in the hands after the interception. Peters has three touchdowns coming off interceptions this season.
These two will be battling throughout the game, but if Brown can get the better of a re-energized Peters it can create havoc for the Ravens defense, and open up the game for Buffalo.
Cole Beasley vs. Marlon Humphrey
Let’s keep the momentum rolling with a Bills receiver matching up against a Ravens cornerback, shall we?
Cole Beasley has been tremendous form in recent weeks. In the past two weeks against the Denver Broncos and the Dallas Cowboys, Beasley has 12 catches for 186 yards and two touchdowns. Beasley has been effective on third down and has created consistent separation from his defenders which has given quarterback Josh Allen a nice safety blanket. Beasley will be lining up against the underrated talent Marlon Humphrey
The cornerback doesn’t get the same attention because he lines up next to Marcus Peters. Humphrey has put up some impressive stats this season, he has broken up nine passes, he has two interceptions, and has forced two fumbles. Humphrey’s interceptions came early in the season, the first came against Miami in their season opener, and the second came against the struggling Bengals.
If Beasley can exploit Humphrey’s somewhat struggling form, the Bills will have the ability to move the ball against this vaunted Ravens defense.
Cody Ford vs. Matthew Judon
The Bills offensive line has improved throughout the course of the season, even though the unit has seen some injuries during the year. The player on the offensive line that has improved the most though is rookie Cody Ford. Ford struggled at the beginning of the season, and Ty Nsekhe was rotated in for the rookie.
In those weeks Ford began to settle into his role and has been solidifying the offensive line. After an ankle injury to Nsekhe, Ford seized the starting role. His hard noise, aggressive style has made him a force to be reckoned on the offensive line. On Sunday he will be facing the savvy linebacker Matthew Judon.
Bills fans may not remember Matthew Judon after their blowout victory over Buffalo last season… he had just one tackle. He was in the backfield throughout their last meeting though which disrupted the running game, and flustered the woeful Nathan Peterman. This season, Judon has made an impact with his 39 tackles, seven sacks, and two forced fumbles.
Ford will need to contain Judon because he’s proved that he can wreck games this season.
Tremaine Edmunds vs. Lamar Jackson
Can you mention the Baltimore Ravens without talking about Lamar Jackson? No, no you can not. Jackson is one of the leading MVP candidates due to his rare mix of explosive running ability and stunning arm talent. Jackson so far this season has 25 passing touchdowns, just five interceptions, and 2,532 yards through the air. While his 25 touchdowns are impressive his ability to run with the ball is what sets him apart from other quarterbacks in the NFL.
Jackson has 977 rushing yards on 140 attempts, an astonishing 7.0 yards per carry. Jackson has also rushed for seven touchdowns this season, putting his total to 32 touchdowns this season.
Tremaine Edmunds will have the responsibility to clog passing lanes, and try to tackle the elusive Jackson in the open field. If there was one linebacker in the NFL that had the ability to stop Jackson, it’s Edmunds. Edmunds mix of size and speed make him the perfect foil to Jackson. Edmunds so far this season has 89 tackles which leads the Bills, and has been sent on more blitzes in the past three weeks which has been impacting the opposing run and passing game.
Edmunds will need to have the game of his season if he wants to stop Jackson and the Baltimore offense.
Tre’Davious White vs. Marquise Brown
The Bills secondary has anchored by the third-year cornerback Tre’Davious White. White is having the best season of his career so far, he has 54 tackles, four interceptions, 15 pass deflections, and two forced fumbles. White has excelled in both zone and man coverage this season, locking down receivers such as Courtland Sutton, Amari Cooper, and Odell Beckham Jr.
One thing that White has struggled with in his career his defending speedy receivers which is one of Marquise Brown’s greatest strengths. Brown has 36 receptions on the season, with 520 yards, an average of 14.4 yards per catch and six touchdowns. Brown and Jackson have established an important chemistry that helps maintain a balance in the Baltimore offense.
White will need to lock down the speedster if the Bills want to force the Ravens into becoming a one dimensional team.