After dispatching the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card round, the Baltimore Ravens are gearing up for a much tougher test: a frigid clash with the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional round of the NFL playoffs.
This marks just the second postseason meeting between the two teams in the Lamar Jackson era, the first being a 17-3 Ravens loss in Buffalo back in 2020.
Now, Baltimore is heading north again, hoping for a different outcome this time around.
With game-time temperatures expected to be in the single-digits with a chance of snow, Ravens tight end Mark Andrews is preparing for the elements and has made one thing clear: he and the Ravens are more than ready.
“It’s like it’s war time. It’s time to go to war. It’s accepting anything and everything,” Andrews confidently said.
The Ravens are no strangers to postseason football, having reached the playoffs in six of the seven seasons since drafting Jackson.
However, Jackson has struggled mightily in his postseason career and is desperately hoping that this is the year he finally gets over the hump.
As for Andrews, he remains a crucial piece of the Ravens’ offense.
While his season stats – 55 receptions, 673 yards, and a team-leading 11 receiving touchdowns – don’t quite match his All-Pro 2021 season, Andrews remains a central figure in Baltimore’s game plan.
His contributions this season earned him the distinction of becoming the Ravens’ all-time leader in touchdown receptions.
Jackson has routinely praised Andrews’ accomplishments, and the team may need to rely on the veteran tight end even more this weekend.
With star rookie wideout Zay Flowers nursing a knee injury and his availability uncertain, Andrews’ role in the passing attack could expand significantly.
Both teams displayed incredible control in their Wild Card victories.
Baltimore dominated possession against Pittsburgh, holding the ball for over 39 minutes, while Buffalo eclipsed even that with more than 41 minutes of possession in their win over Denver.
It’s the game of the weekend and the stage is set for a physical, grind-it-out contest between two battle-tested squads led by MVP-level quarterbacks.
You have to imagine that Josh Allen and the Bills are sick and tired of hearing about Jackson and the Ravens.
Adding fuel to the fire is the fact that Baltimore is actually slight favorites in the matchup, despite the game taking place in raucous Buffalo.
What are your thoughts on the game? … Who will end up coming out on top?
While we’re on the subject, who is your MVP: Allen or Jackson???
