Ravens Photos | Baltimore Ravens – baltimoreravens.com
Matchups to Watch in Ravens-Bills Divisional Playoffs
These five matchups could determine who goes to the AFC Championship.
![S Kyle Hamilton vs. QB Josh Allen
Limiting Allen will be the No. 1 key to a Ravens win Sunday. Allen is an MVP candidate leading one of the league's best offenses, but Baltimore's defense has been elite since Week 11 when Hamilton moved to a deep safety role. "He is up for the MVP with Lamar [Jackson] for a reason," Hamilton said. "It is because he affects the game in a very different way than a lot of different quarterbacks."](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album_2x/f_png/ravens/foxuos2hih3bkyo76wse.png)
S Kyle Hamilton vs. QB Josh Allen
Limiting Allen will be the No. 1 key to a Ravens win Sunday. Allen is an MVP candidate leading one of the league's best offenses, but Baltimore's defense has been elite since Week 11 when Hamilton moved to a deep safety role. "He is up for the MVP with Lamar [Jackson] for a reason," Hamilton said. "It is because he affects the game in a very different way than a lot of different quarterbacks."
ILB Roquan Smith vs. RB James Cook
Cook rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown last week against the Broncos as Buffalo ran for over 200 yards. The Baltimore run defense is stout, though, with Smith patrolling the middle to prevent explosive plays. Cook had 39 of the Bills' 81 rushing yards in Week 4, and controlling the run game again will be a top priority for Smith and the defense. The Bills' running backs are also threats in the passing game.
WR Rashod Bateman vs. CB Christian Benford
With Zay Flowers' (knee) status in question, Bateman could be WR1 again this week. Benford will spend time on Bateman, who has been a key end zone threat for Lamar Jackson this season. Benford has turned into a strong young cornerback, but Bateman will be a tough matchup with his elite route-running.
RB Derrick Henry vs. DT Ed Oliver
No one is running the ball better than Henry right now. He has at least 138 rushing yards in his last four games, including 186 and two touchdowns last week. Henry had 199 rushing yards in Baltimore's Week 4 win over the Bills, and the Ravens will try to ride him again on a cold Buffalo night. The Bills have a solid run defense led by Oliver, and they will go all out to stop Henry and Co.
CB Brandon Stephens vs. WR Amari Cooper
The Bills didn't have Cooper when the Ravens beat them, 35-10, in Week 4, but the veteran receiver will be out there Sunday night and spend a lot of time facing Stephens. The Ravens secondary allowed some big plays last week against the Steelers, and limiting the deep shots with Josh Allen at quarterback will be pivotal in the divisional matchup.
