Ravens vs. Bills: 7 fun facts about this divisional round matchup
The Baltimore Ravens trip to Buffalo to face the Bills this weekend is no laughing matter. The occasion, the AFC divisional round of the 2020 NFL playoffs, makes this a matter of the utmost seriousness. The Ravens will be expected to bring a straight-faced, businesslike attitude to things this week.
But that doesn’t mean we have to. In keeping with this theme, here are seven fun facts you should know about these two teams, heading into the all-important clash of two AFC titans this weekend.
Josh Allen set an NFL playoff record last week
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He wasn't at his explosive best against the Indianapolis Colts in the Wild Card round, but Bills quarterback Josh Allen was arguably the driving force behind the team's win. Allen completed 74.3% of his passes against the Colts, finishing 26 of 35 for 324 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed 11 times for 54 yards and another score. Allen is the first player in NFL history to throw for 300 yards, completing at least 70 percent of his passes while also rushing for 50 yards in a playoff game.
The Bills have faced the toughest road to the playoffs of any team in 2020
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Of all the 14 teams to make it to the postseason, no team faced a tougher schedule than the Bills. Their opponents' strength of schedule mark in 2020 was .512, making them the only playoff team to play the strength of schedule above .500.
Stefon Diggs was an All Pro in 2020
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The Bills acquisition of Stefon Diggs prior to the 2020 season was a move that worked out perfectly for both parties. Diggs finished his first season with the team with career highs in both receptions (127) and receiving yards (1,535). Both of these marks are franchise records. Diggs was deservedly named to the Pro Bowl and the All-Pro teams for the first time in his career. He is the first Bills wide receiver to make the Pro Bowl since Eric Moulds in 2002.
13 Bills players caught touchdown passes in 2020
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Diggs was the leading touchdown scorer for the Bills in 2020, finding the endzone eight times in all. But he was far from the only player to hit paydirt for the Bills last season. The Bills equaled an NFL record with 13 different players catching at least one touchdown pass. Six wide receivers, four tight ends, and two running backs all caught passes for scores, while Josh Allen also caught a scoring pass from wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie. Talk about a spread passing attack!
The Bills moved the chains at a record rate in 2020
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The Bills offense was prolific in terms of points scored in the 2020 season, scoring 56 offensive touchdowns while only punting 41 times. But they didn't just rely on constant splash plays to run their offense. The Bills racked up at least 20 first downs in every game they played in the regular season, following this up with 22 against the Colts last week. They join the 2012 New England Patriots as the only teams to amass 20 or more first downs in every game of a 16-week regular season in NFL history.
Lamar Jackson shares a record with Patrick Mahomes and Dan Marino
AP Photo/Mark Zaleski
Lamar Jackson finally buried his postseason hoodoo, winning his first playoff game at the third attempt against the Titans. With the victory over the Titans, a game in which Jackson was the driving force, he joined some seriously illustrious company. Jackson became just the third player in NFL history to record a playoff win AND win an MVP by the end of his age-23 season. The two other players are Patrick Mahomes and Dan Marino.
The Ravens are true road warriors in the playoffs
AP Photo/Wade Payne
The Ravens face the daunting prospect of traveling to upstate New York to face the Bills, with the home side boasting a 7-1 record in 2020 in their own stadium. But the Ravens showed that they are capable of going on the road and winning a playoff game, as this is what they did last week against the Titans. Historically, being the visitors has not fazed the Ravens during the playoffs too much. After all, they won two road games during each of their Super Bowl-winning seasons. In fact, with an 11-6 record in away postseason games, the Ravens are the only team in NFL history to boast a winning record on the road in the playoffs.
