What a matchup we have in the AFC Divisional Round with the Baltimore Ravens traveling to Orchard Park, N.Y., to face the Buffalo Bills.
These teams met during the regular season back in late September, when Baltimore won 35-10 at home. Derrick Henry ran for 199 yards, while Josh Allen only threw for 180 and ran for 21.
Here are the opening Ravens vs. Bills odds for the NFL Wild Card Round of the playoffs next weekend.
Ravens vs. Bills Odds
| Ravens Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2 -110 | 51 -110o / -110u | +110 |
| Bills Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2 -110 | 51 -110o / -110u | -130 |
- Ravens vs. Bills spread: Bills -2
- Ravens vs. Bills total: Over/Under 51 points scored
- Ravens vs. Bills moneylines: Bills -130, Ravens +110
These odds are as of Sunday at 3:55 p.m. ET.
Ravens vs. Bills Projection
Sean Koerner, Action Network's director of predictive analytics, is delivering us his early projections for every playoff game as each matchup is set.
Koerner projects this spread at Bills -2 with the over/under set at 51.5 points scored.
Baltimore Ravens
By Brandon Anderson
For a second straight season, many advanced metrics rate the Ravens as the best team in football. Baltimore ranks No. 1 in DVOA both offensively and overall, with Baltimore finished the season ranked 7th best all-time in DVOA – two spots behind last year’s squad.
Lamar Jackson is the defending MVP and might well win it again. He’s had his best season as a passer, and the scary part is that he hasn’t even run the ball as much this season. That’s because Derrick Henry has been the hammer for this team, controlling the clock and dictating pace all season. Add in improved offensive line play under OC Todd Monken and this unit has been nearly unstoppable much of the season, though Zay Flowers’ injury status looms large.
And don’t look now, but the defense has come together nicely too. Dean Pees helped reshape this unit midseason moving Marlon Humphrey back into the slot and unleashing Kyle Hamilton in a new role, and Baltimore’s pass defense has leapt into the top five since the start of December on top of an already stout run defense.
Justin Tucker and the usually terrific Baltimore special teams remain a question mark, but outside of that, it’s simply time for this team to prove this formula can work in the playoffs too.
Buffalo Bills
By Brandon Anderson
Is this finally the year for the Bills? Buffalo rolls into the playoffs with huge statement wins over the Chiefs and Lions down the home stretch, and Josh Allen had an MVP-caliber season as Buffalo attempts to circle the wagons and finally win the big one.
If the Bills win it, Allen and the offense will be the reason. Buffalo’s offense has been as good as any in the NFL this season, both running and passing, and Allen is a huge part of that with both his legs and his arm. James Cook has also been a big weapon out of the backfield, and the midseason addition of Amari Cooper bolstered a deep and versatile receiving corps.
The big question is whether Sean McDermott’s defense is up to the task. The Bills gave up 44 to the Rams and 42 to the Lions in December, plus 35 to the Ravens back in September. The defense has tailed off late in the season and can be beaten by top offenses, and Buffalo will face plenty of those if it’s going to make a playoff run.
