NFL Divisional Playoffs: Trends which will decide each game

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - DECEMBER 27: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs leads players onto the field prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Arrowhead Stadium on December 27, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – JANUARY 10: Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens reacts following their 20-13 victory over the Tennessee Titans after the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Nissan Stadium on January 10, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Baltimore Ravens (12-5) at Buffalo Bills (14-3), 8:15 pm

Ravens: This has been a different team since the club’s midseason three-game losing streak. And last week at Nashville, quarterback Lamar Jackson’s third playoff start proved to be the charm. He overcame an early interception, settled down and finished the afternoon with 136 yards on the ground (1 touchdown) and 179 more through the air in the team’s 20-13 conquest of the Titans. Baltimore rolled up 236 yards rushing, meaning in their last two games John Harbaugh’s squad has run for an astounding 640 yards. But can the Ravens do a better job of keeping Jackson out of harm’s way. While he totaled 15 rushing attempts, the Titans did sack him five times.

Bills: The AFC East champions picked up where they left off during the regular season in holding off the Colts last Saturday afternoon. It was another productive outing for third-year quarterback Josh Allen, who threw for 324 yards and two scores and ran for 54 yards and another TD. Meanwhile, the Buffalo defense got some timely stops and also frustrated Indianapolis inside the red zone5. Sean McDermott’s team set a franchise record with 501 points and added 27 last week vs. the Colts. But one sore spot has been ball security, with Allen committing 16 of the team’s 22 turnovers. So can the hot Bills take care of the football against an opportunistic Ravens’ defense?

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