‘On game days, Festa observes the big picture on the Buffalo sideline. What’s the energy? What’s the vibe? How is the team dealing with adversity? With players and coaches laser-focused on their specific job, she takes a look at the big picture and reports the answers back to the team’s leaders.’
Archives for January 17, 2025
PlayAction column: Ravens’ late-season pass defense surge poses problem for Bills
‘The Baltimore pass defense is not bad. In fact, it’s outstanding. The Ravens ranked No. 2 in the NFL in sacks with 54. In terms of defensive efficiency, the Ravens finished 10th against the pass, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.’
‘Extremely cool’ chance for Anthony Brown to serve as Bills scout-team quarterback
‘“There’s not much to learn for the scout team because I was there and I’m very familiar with (Baltimore’s) playbook,” Brown told The Buffalo News. “It allows me to give the look I can. Lamar is a 1-of-1 player and it’s hard to mimic that, but to understand how he thinks and the plays he runs and how he operates if a play breaks down – I’m just trying to give the team the best possible look I can.”’
CBA panel urges Bills to focus early on post-construction hiring and diversity goals
‘Legends will be expected to implement initiatives maximizing participation of local, small and disadvantaged businesses in maintenance and concessions at the $2.1 billion stadium in Orchard Park, set to open for the 2026 season.’
Jim Kubiak: Josh Allen’s best friend is the Bills’ newfound rushing attack. Take a look
‘Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills advanced to the divisional round of the AFC playoffs with their impressive 31-7 victory over the Denver Broncos, scoring 21 unanswered second-half points. And Allen’s performance was nearly flawless, as he completed 20 of 26 attempts for 272 yards with two touchdowns and zero interceptions.’
MVP candidates drafted in same year, debuted in same game and now aspire for a title
‘Of course, Allen and Jackson don’t care about the MVP award, especially Jackson since he already has two. All that matters to them this week is winning Sunday’s AFC divisional round game at Highmark Stadium, and beyond that, a Super Bowl. Not only have neither of them won a ring, they haven’t even gotten to the big game thanks to Patrick Mahomes becoming this era’s AFC death star and championship-hogging version of Tom Brady.’
Bills’ McDermott earns prestigious coaching honor
‘Chuck Knox (1980) is the only Bills coach in the NFL to have won the AP award, though Lou Saban won the AFL version of the AP award in 1965. Marv Levy won the 1988 Sporting News Coach of the Year honor, and he also won the 1988 and 1993 United Press International award, though that has been defunct since 1996.’
What Ravens’ Lamar Jackson is saying about playing in coldest game of career vs Bills
‘Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson cannot say the same. Since entering the league in 2018, Jackson has never played in a game this cold. Ryan Mink, the Editorial Director for the Ravens, shared Jackson’s 10 coldest games at kickoff. The temperatures ranged from 27 degrees to 36 degrees. Jackson is 8-2 in those games with his lone losses coming to the Kansas City Chiefs in December of 2018 and against the Bills in the playoffs in 2020.’
Bills nearing full strength entering Divisional Round matchup with Ravens
‘Davis is progressing rapidly through the concussion protocol, but if history tells us anything, the Bills like to take things slow when it comes to concussions. At this point, it would be a surprise if Davis suits up against the Ravens. If he is unable to go, that may cause the team to elevate practice squad running back Frank Gore Jr. in time for Sunday’s game.’
Josh Allen’s combination of passion and calm has the Bills clicking in the biggest moments
‘Allen is fiercely competitive and has repeatedly said he will do whatever it takes for the Buffalo Bills to win a game. Wearing a smile, Allen shrugged off a left hand injury after leaping over Cardinals safety Budd Baker to score a touchdown in Week 1, only for it be revealed that Allen broke his hand on the play.’
Friday’s Baltimore Coverage
Ravens and QB Lamar Jackson emphasize turnover margin in Bills preparation (Baltimore Sun)
Ravens-Bills playoff game will be offensive line battle as much as QB showcase (Baltimore Sun)
Ravens WR Zay Flowers again only player absent from Thursday’s practice (Baltimore Sun)
NFL quarterback rankings: Who’s No. 1 entering divisional round? The choice is clear. (Baltimore Sun)
Readers Respond: Here’s who fans are picking to win Ravens-Bills playoff game (Baltimore Sun)
Who’s got it better than us in the NFL playoffs? Nobody. | Editorial (Baltimore Sun)
Ravens history is filled with big road victories in the playoffs. Now they need another (AP)
Ravens Assistant Interviewing for Two NFL Head Coaching Jobs Before Bills Showdown (SI)
Keyshawn Johnson Believes the Ravens Have Easy Defensive Game Plan for Bills (SI)
Ravens’ Marlon Humphrey Explained Why He Hates Playing Against Josh Allen (SI)
Lamar Jackson Gives Funny Reason Why He Won’t Wear Gloves in Cold Weather vs. Bills (SI)
Derrick Henry Had Funny Response When Asked If Ravens Seek His Stiff-Arm Advice (SI)
Zay Flowers injury update: Latest news on Ravens WR’s status for NFL playoff game vs. Bills (The Sporting News)
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson takes bold shot at Josh Allen ahead of showdown with Buffalo Bills (The Sporting News)
Cold temperatures ahead of Ravens/Bills playoff game (WMAR-TV)
Who is the NFL MVP? Ravens, Bills fans debate Lamar Jackson vs. Josh Allen. (WJZ-TV)
WR Zay Flowers only Ravens player sidelined at practice Thursday ahead of Divisional Round (WBFF-TV)
Ravens at Bills: How common are postseason home underdogs? (WJZ-FM)
Ravens Believe Their Offense is Built for Frigid Buffalo (BaltimoreRavens.com)
Lamar Jackson Is Motivated By Last Playoff Loss in Buffalo (BaltimoreRavens.com)
Derrick Henry Embraces His New ‘Lightning McQueen’ Nickname From Lamar Jackson (BaltimoreRavens.com)
Zay Flowers Misses Fifth Straight Practice (BaltimoreRavens.com)
News & Notes: Todd Monken: ‘Do What You Do Well’ (BaltimoreRavens.com)
Stage is set for Ravens’ Lamar Jackson to face Bills’ Josh Allen in divisional playoff at Buffalo
‘These are two division champions with a combined 27 wins two steps from a Super Bowl berth.’
Allen, Bills host Jackson, Ravens in highly anticipated matchup of AFC division winners
‘Key matchup – Ravens running game vs. Bills run defense. The Ravens topped 200 yards rushing eight times this season, including 271 against Buffalo, the most the Bills allowed this season. Buffalo’s defense was missing three starters — linebackers Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard and cornerback Taron Johnson — while starting safety Taylor Rapp played just 16 snaps before being sidelined by a concussion. All four players are scheduled to play Sunday.’
Bride’s reaction goes viral after groom pulls out NFL tickets during vows
‘”I just really fell in love with this new wave of young quarterbacks that have come in. [They] have kind of changed the game up a bit, and Josh Allen is one of them,” Doiron said.’
Buffalo Joe! Bills linebacker and local legend: Joe Andreessen
‘”It was the body of work during the season,” Smiley said of giving Joe the job. “Stay plugged in, keep getting better, great energy, great, obviously, performance on the field, but great questions in the meeting room … It’s hard for rookies, this is a long season and for him, just every week it’s a little better, a little better, a little better. So, yeah, he was very deserving and we were all excited that he got to do it.”‘