Sunday, September 29, 2013

Week 4 AFC East game picks: Ravens at Bills

Publisher Nick St. Denis, associate editor Dan Begnoche and senior contributor Sean Donovan pick the Buffalo Bills' AFC matchup with the Baltimore Ravens.

Dan's take:
Buffalo's banged up squad meets another stout defense, one that hasn't allowed a touchdown since its Week 1 loss to Denver. The Ravens' front is near the top of the league in sacks, an issue that plagued E.J. Manuel last week against the Jets. Baltimore's ailing ground game keeps this one close, but the Bills' penalty issues and troubles on third down allow the Ravens to grab their first win at the Ralph.
Prediction: Ravens 23, Bills 20

Sean's take:
The Bills' struggling secondary gets another test this week when Joe Flacco, Torrey Smith and the vertical Baltimore passing attack comes to town. The Bills' defense will give up yards, and some points, but keeps the game close enough for C.J. Spiller and the offense to pull ahead late. Manuel holds a 95.9 passer rating at home this season, and his steady production keys a Bills upset.
Prediction: Bills 21, Ravens 20

Nick's take:
The Jets' offense found a lot of success going vertical last week against the Bills, and that's not really their game. That is, however, the Ravens' game. Baltimore will be up against a still-depleted secondary and should be able to take advantage with big shots downfield. Manuel will have his hands full against another aggressive rush, but Buffalo will find success on the ground.
Prediction: Ravens 20, Bills 17