Bills at Ravens: 3 key matchups in Week 4
The Buffalo Bills will visit the Baltimore Ravens in their upcoming Week 4 game.
Even with it being an AFC showdown, it will still be the games, within the game, that will make all the difference.
Here are three key matchups to watch during Sunday’s Bills-Ravens meeting:
OL Rodger Saffold vs. DL Calasis Campbell
Rodger Saffold #76 of the Buffalo Bills . (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
The Ravens have a solid defensive line tandem lining up across from the Bills in Calasis Campbell and Justin Madubuike. Rodger Saffold cannot block multiple players at once. The battle in the trenches will not just fall on his shoulders.
But with center Mitch Morse listed as questionable with an elbow issue and Ryan Bates (who is returning from a concussion) still being pretty inexperienced, Buffalo has to be able to lean on Saffold in this one. He’s the former Pro Bowler and veteran on the O-line.
His early season struggles have led him to a brutal 39.8 overall Pro Football Focus grade so far in 2022, but now is the time for Saffold to turn things around.
DL DaQuan Jones vs. OL Tyler Linderbaum
Center Tyler Linderbaum #64 and quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Defensive tackle Ed Oliver is again listed as questionable. He has not played since Week 1 due to an ankle injury.
However, DaQuan Jones has played pretty well without Oliver in the lineup. He has taken up space in the middle of the defensive line, sealing up running lanes for opposing offenses.
Do we need to explain how important that is against the Ravens and their quarterback Lamar Jackson?
LB Matt Milano vs. TE Mark Andrews
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) and Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (89)Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
Mark Andrews isn’t held as high up as the George Kittle’s and Travis Kelce’s of the tight end world. But he’s still very good and is Jackson’s go-to option in the passing game.
Currently PFF has Andrews listed as their No. 1 tight end in the NFL through three games. Bills linebacker Matt Milano slides in as, not only PFF’s No. 1 graded linebacker, he’s also likely to be the one covering Andrews for much of this contest.
That will be a fun battle to watch.
