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Baltimore’s Top Defense
Baltimore heads into Buffalo for the first Sunday Night Football game this season. Coming off a heartbreaking playoff loss to Josh Allen and Co., Lamar Jackson looks to send a message. Baltimore added former Packers Pro Bowl CB Jaire Alexander and drafted Safety Malaki Starks to pair with the best safety in the league, Kyle Hamilton.
Facing off against those elite DBs is veteran Khalil Shakir and unproven 2nd year player Keon Coleman, who looks to break out this season as Buffalo needs him to develop into a WR1. Coleman has a chance to put the league on notice if he performs against one of, if not the best, defenses in the league.
Buffalos Key Things To Watch
Many eyes will be on veteran Joey Bosa and how the aging pass rusher performs in his Bills regular-season debut after multiple injury-riddled seasons. This would solve one issue the Bills may have this year, though they have a contingency plan in Michael Hoecht, who joins Buffalo from the Los Angeles Rams but is suspended for the first 6 games do to testing positive for PEDs.
Tre’Davious White is already on the injury report in week 1. If he plays, he will need to perform at a Pro Bowl level to remain with the starters. If he’s as sluggish as he was last year for the Rams, then HC Sean McDermott needs to let rookie first-round pick Maxwell Hairston start.
Baltimores Key Things To Watch
I have no worries about Malaki Starks as he’s someone I am very high on and wanted Buffalo to draft. What I am curious about is how 2nd round pick Mike Green plays and how much he plays. He was a projected 1st round pick who fell to Baltimore in the 2nd, and the last thing Buffalo needs is for Baltimore to hit on both draft picks.
As mentioned previously, Baltimore added Pro Bowler Jaire Alexander, so not only will Khalil Shakir have his hands tied, but Keon Coleman will have to deal with Nate Wiggins on the outside, as Marlon Humphrey is going to primarily play Nickel. Of the matchups, Coleman’s is the most “favorable” for the Bills, but Wiggins is no slouch and had a better rookie season last year than Coleman.
Fantasy Football Advice
- Keon Coleman is a must-sit this week as the Ravens’ secondary is far too strong for the young WR. In 2 matchups with Baltimore, Coleman has 4 receptions for 63 yards, and the Ravens’ secondary has only improved.
- Zay Flowers is a must-start as a depleted Bills secondary, while having a healthy defensive line could work to Flowers’ favor, especially if it’s a high-scoring game and Baltimore is stuck playing catch-up. The con to starting him is that last season he only had 1 reception for 10 yards, so he is a risky start despite the Bills being without Maxwell Hairston and possibly Tre’Davious White, who is doubtful for week 1.
- The Bills and Ravens D/ST are also a must-sit as both teams have high-powered offenses that could easily score over 30. The Bills’ defense averaged 6.75 points vs the Ravens last season, while the Ravens had 10.75. You might be asking why sit Baltimore if they averaged over 10 points last season. Well, they only had 5.50 in the playoffs and it’s highly unlikely the Ravens will only give up 10 points to the Bills’ offense like they did a year ago.
Predictions
The Ravens’ secondary will easily be the difference in this matchup, as I just don’t believe Buffalo has the weapons to overtake them in week one, despite being at home. Now, with Josh Allen’s heroics, anything is possible, but Baltimore has typically won in the regular season, and Derrick Henry has had his way with the Bills’ defense through the years.
Baltimore wins 41-27 and starts 1-0 while the Bills lose their home opener.
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