Buffalo Bills vs. Baltimore Ravens: Keys to victory in AFC Divisional Round

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ORCHARD PARK, NY – DECEMBER 08: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills drops back to pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at New Era Field on December 8, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Baltimore defeats Buffalo 24-17. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

Win the Third Down Battles

A main component of the Buffalo Bills success this year is in no small part due to their success on third down offensively. Throughout the regular season, the Buffalo Bills ranked first in third down conversion rate, this is a two-pronged effect by keeping the offense on the field the team is more capable of scoring points, and secondly by converting on third down the defense stays on the sideline making it less likely for the opposition to score.

Last week against the Colts, the Bills were struggling in a big way on offense to convert on 3rd downs. This made it difficult for the Bills to win the field position battle and therefore continuously put the Buffalo defense in a bad spot. These Bills finished last week 2 of 9 converting 3rd downs, only a 22% conversion rate and their lowest rate of conversion for the entire season.

Coming into this Divisional Round game against the Ravens, the Bills need to right those wrongs from last week. Additionally, the Ravens defense is quite resistant to opposing offenses on 3rd down, ranking 2nd in conversion rate allowed at only 34%.

Which Baltimore Ravens do the Bills need to gameplan for?. dark. Next

If the Bills want to avoid teams playing keep away from their high powered offense, their offense needs to do their job and convert on 3rd downs to stay on the field. If the Bills offense can do this, it will make it easier to complete the first key of getting out to an early lead and ultimately win this divisional round matchup against the Ravens.

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