Ravens vs. Payments: Who has the sting at every place in Week 8?

The Baltimore Ravens will journey to Buffalo on Sunday for an vital AFC matchup in opposition to the Payments, with Lamar Jackson anticipated to return after lacking three video games with a excessive ankle sprain. Baltimore enters Week 8 at 4-3 after two straight losses, whereas Buffalo is 5-1 and averaging an NFL-best 32.8 factors per sport. Right here is how the groups evaluate throughout 9 positions.

Quarterback — Benefit: Even

Jackson and Josh Allen are two of the NFL’s most dynamic quarterbacks, able to altering video games by means of their legs and arms.

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Jackson practiced absolutely all through the week, and coach Jesse Minter expects him to return. Allen has been extra persistently accessible, giving Buffalo better continuity, however Jackson’s return makes this matchup extraordinarily shut. NFL

Operating again — Benefit: Payments

Derrick Henry has 579 speeding yards and 7 touchdowns, however Buffalo’s James Cook dinner enters with 627 yards and 6 touchdowns whereas averaging 5.4 yards per carry.

Henry stays a dominant bodily runner, however Cook dinner’s effectivity and Buffalo’s extra constant speeding assault give the Payments the sting getting into Sunday.

Broad receiver — Benefit: Ravens

Zay Flowers has been Baltimore’s most dependable receiving menace, together with eight catches for 137 yards in opposition to Cincinnati.

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Rashod Bateman, Ja’Kobi Lane, Devontez Walker, and the Ravens’ youthful receivers present extra choices. Buffalo counters with Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Joshua Palmer and DJ Moore, however Flowers provides Baltimore the strongest particular person manufacturing getting into the matchup.

Tight finish — Benefit: Even

Mark Andrews stays one of many NFL’s most achieved tight ends, with Josh Cuevas and Matt Hibner as extra receiving choices.

Buffalo has Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox, though Kincaid has been managing a chest harm. Baltimore will get a slim edge if Andrews can join with Jackson.

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Offensive line — Benefit: Payments

Baltimore can be with out beginning proper guard Vega Ioane, who was dominated out with a knee harm regardless of working towards Thursday and Friday.

Cam Jurgens, Ronnie Stanley, John Simpson and Roger Rosengarten should shield Jackson and enhance the working sport.

Buffalo additionally has issues involving proper sort out Spencer Brown, however the Payments have proven better offensive consistency.

Defensive position and cross rush — Benefit: Ravens

Trey Hendrickson, Mike Inexperienced, Travis Jones and Nnamdi Madubuike give Baltimore a number of proficient front-seven contributors.

Buffalo has Ed Oliver and Bradley Chubb amongst its defensive playmakers, however Baltimore’s edge-rushing potential earns the benefit, supplied the Ravens include Allen.

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Linebacker — Benefit: Ravens

Roquan Smith and Trenton Simpson give Baltimore an skilled, athletic linebacker mixture.

Smith practiced absolutely on Friday after coping with a knee harm, an vital growth in opposition to Buffalo’s highly effective speeding assault.

Secondary — Benefit: Ravens

Kyle Hamilton, Nate Wiggins, Marlon Humphrey and Malaki Starks kind a proficient defensive backfield.

Hamilton has handled a knee subject, whereas security Jaylinn Hawkins is out, however Baltimore nonetheless has a robust assortment of protection and tackling expertise.

Particular groups — Benefit: Even

Baltimore rookie Tyler Loop and Buffalo’s Tyler Bass each face stress to execute in what may turn into a detailed AFC contest.

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Subject objectives, protection, and beginning discipline place may resolve the result, notably if the groups commerce touchdowns all through the sport.

Jackson’s anticipated return improves Baltimore’s outlook, though accidents alongside the offensive line and the protection’s current struggles stay important issues.

This text initially appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens vs. Payments: Who has the sting at every place in Week 8?