Simulation Picks
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks!
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks!
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks!
Understanding Public and Money
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Expert Picks
The expectation was this line would get to a full field goal ahead of kickoff, but it ultimately did not. I still like the Ravens at +2.5 but much prefer the extra half point if you can get it. With the weather looking to be frigid in Buffalo, the Ravens' ability to run the ball should be paramount. Lamar Jackson has taken a step forward recently, even if Josh Allen is the best quarterback in the game. I like Baltimore's cornerbacks to limit the Bills receivers, and I expect the Ravens to limit possessions by running clock on the ground. Baltimore may win this game straight up, but I'll take any points I can get in what may be the best game of the round.
The Ravens can run the heck out of the football, and they have the ability to pressure the QB. On the outside, the Ravens press corners will force Josh Allen to hold the football longer than he wants to, and, defensively, I don't believe the Bills have enough to stop the power run game of Baltimore. Take the Ravens and the points.
This is the best game of the weekend. The Ravens have covered seven straight and should find success against a Bills defense that just gave up 472 yards and 27 first downs to the Colts. Most teams cannot contain the Bills' trio of wide receivers, but Baltimore matches up well with Marlon Humphrey, Jimmy Smith and Marcus Peters. Look for a close game that ultimately results in John Harbaugh's Ravens covering their sixth straight as road playoff underdogs.
It seems like no one is giving the Bills much respect here, and I'd probably take them if the stadium was full of fans. However, Lamar Jackson got that playoff monkey off his back last week and is 14-4-1 ATS on the road in his NFL career. Under John Harbaugh, the Ravens are 10-3 ATS on the road in the playoffs. Buffalo's biggest weakness is run defense, which was seventh-worst in the NFL in terms of yards per carry allowed in the regular season and which allowed 5.4 yards per carry last week against Indy. That plays right into Baltimore's hands as it has been unstoppable on the ground during a six-game winning streak. Frankly, the moneyline is probably your best value here but we'll take the points.
I love Baltimore in this game. Buffalo's run defense was almost non-existent last week, giving up 5.4 yards per carry and 163 total rushing yards to the Colts. How are the Bills going to stop Lamar Jackson, J.K. Dobbins and the Ravens' No. 1 rushing offense? Meanwhile Baltimore's defense ranked second in the league during the regular season in points allowed a game (18.9) and should be able to do enough against Josh Allen. I think the Ravens win outright.
In their playoff opener, the Ravens’ defense took on a team averaging 396.4 yards and, after taking a moment to figure things out, allowed just 83 over the final three quarters. Next up for Baltimore is a foe that averages - wait for it - 396.4 yards. The Bills are potent, but RB Zack Moss (ankle) - their top rusher in Games 13-15 and No. 2 on the season - is out. Buffalo’s points ceiling is likely the mid-20s, so all Baltimore would need against the 16th-ranked defense is another steady showing by QB Lamar Jackson. Who needs home field? The Ravens are 11–6 lifetime in postseason road games.
Team Injuries
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