Buffalo Bills: Learning more about the Baltimore Ravens before Week 1

We caught up with Chris Schisler of Ebony Bird to learn more about the Baltimore Ravens before the Buffalo Bills head to town this Sunday.

Buffalo Bills football is back this Sunday against a team that will go down in Bills history thanks to a defensive collapse that allowed the Bills to make the 2017 postseason.

The Baltimore Ravens had a playoff berth locked up only to let Andy Dalton and Tyler Boyd become Buffalo legends, while making some money for charity in the process. It’s crazy how one play can change so much.

To learn more about this year’s Ravens squad we caught up with Chris Schisler of Ebony Bird.

1. Who is one new member of the Ravens that will give the Bills problems on Sunday?

CS: I have a hard time imagining the Bills are going to stop Alex Collins. The Ravens come into the season with a new group of weapons in the passing game but they already know they can run the football. Collins is coming off a great first year with the Ravens and I think he will have elite production this year.

2. Are the Ravens worried about the Bills? If so, what is a cause for concern?

CS: No the Ravens seem very confident, and that’s the biggest cause for concern. The Ravens are thinking big this year. They kept the coaching staff in tact and retooled the roster. They think John Harbaugh can deliver a contender. The biggest concern for the purple and black is that they could look past the Bills.

The Bills do have some good pieces. Jerry Hughes is a good pass rusher. LeSean McCoy is a dangerous running back. This game isn’t an easy one but Baltimore is excited and not anxious.

3. Who is one player for the Ravens that will do the most damage to the Bills’ chances of winning?

CS: On offense, I already gave you Alex Collins. So I’ll say that John Brown is going to give the Bills fits. Brown is coming into the season healthy and has quickly become a favorite target of Joe Flacco. Brown gives the Ravens a deep threat.

Brown showed that chemistry with Flacco in the preseason game against the Colts. Following the headlines out of camp gave Ravens fans a good impression that Brown was going to be a top play-maker for Baltimore.

4. Is the receiver position a concern for the Ravens?

CS: Yes and no. The Ravens added Michael Crabtree, John Brown and Willie Snead. These are guys that each bring sometbing to the table. Chris Moore is a young receiver who has developed into a decent contributor for the offense. These four players have the Ravens’ confidence.

After that, it’s an area of doubt. Jordan Lasley is a rookie. He’s run great routes, but has had a problem with drops. Janarion Grant made the team as an undrafted free agent out of Rutgers. He is the punt returner, but his impact on the offense is expected to be minimal. If the Ravens stay healthy, the problem is fixed. If they get an injury or two, there will be some doubts creeping for the wide receivers.

5. What is your record prediction for the Ravens? Will they make the postseason?

CS: I think the Ravens are looking at 10-6 or 11-5. The team went and got it this offseason. They are much better than the 2017 team that went 9-7. The Ravens have a good chance to win the division, but it depends on how they handle the Steelers. With the Steelers defense in question and a Ravens team better than the one that almost won in Heinz Field, Baltimore could win the AFC North.

6. Your prediction for the game?

CS: Ravens 31-10.

I think it will be a great start to the Don Martindale era. The new defensive coordinator will be aggressive and it will haunt Nathan Peterman. Baltimore will win on defense and a great running game.