Top 6 storylines to follow for Bills vs. Ravens
4. Can the defense stay consistent against a dual threat QB?
The Bills defense has done a great job of limiting their opponents in the first three weeks of the season. They’re allowing just 214 yards per game (1st in the NFL), 12.67 points per game (t-4th), a 65.3 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks (1st) and have surrendered just two passing touchdowns (t-1st). They forced Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford to throw three interceptions, limited Titans running back Derrick Henry to just 25 rushing yards and Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill to 33 receiving yards.
Their next challenge is limiting a quarterback who has been successful through the air and on the ground. It’s a test they have yet to face this season.
Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier explained Jackson’s tough to prepare for because not many can compare to him.
“Lamar is just so dynamic as a runner and now that he’s throwing the ball as well as he is, it’s that much tougher,” Frazier shared. “So we’ll have our hands full trying to slow him down.”
In 2021, Jackson totaled 18 touchdowns. This season, the QB has already accounted for 12, which leads the NFL. This uptick in production is thanks to his continued improvement in the passing game. Jackson has 10 passing touchdowns (1st in the NFL) and is averaging over 80 more passing yards per game than he did last season (250 per game vs. 169 per game).
“He’s really improved his passing,” Frazier added. “You can see it with the numbers. He’s really worked on it. You can tell over the last couple of years, he has gotten better at throwing the football down the field. His accuracy, and the poise he has in the pocket. He’s not looking to escape and run around at times.
(*6*)
The last time the Bills faced the Ravens was on January 16, 2021 in the divisional round of the AFC Playoffs. Buffalo beat Baltimore 17-3 as Jackson completed 14 of his 24 pass attempts (58.3%) for 162 passing yards and threw one interception — a pick-six. He also came out of the game at the end of the third quarter due to an injury.
We will see if the Bills, healthy or not, are up to the test of stopping this new and improved Jackson. So far, they haven’t given up more than one passing touchdown in a game.
