Note: NFL playoff games on DAZN are only available to stream in Canada.
The NFL’s decision to expand its playoff format for the 2020 season is already paying dividends for the league. The Super Wild Card weekend gave fans six competitive games, some upsets and now eight teams remain in hopes of lifting the Lombardi Trophy on Feb. 7 in Tampa Bay.
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Defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs will begin their title defense against the Cleveland Browns, while MVP favorite Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers host Aaron Donald and the Los Angeles Rams. After winning their first playoff game since 1995, the Buffalo Bills host the Baltimore Ravens, while Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints take on Tom Brady and the burning Tampa Bay Buccaneers to cap off the divisional round. Although the COVID-19 pandemic remains a threat to disrupt the playoffs, each of the remaining eight teams survived the wild card weekend, with the Super Bowl now in full view.
Division Round Preview: Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills
Dated: Saturday, January 16 at 8:15 p.m. ET
How to watch: Live on DAZN Canada
Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson were the two most polarizing players in the 2018 NFL Draft class and both quarterbacks proved a legion of haters and doubters wrong this year. Allen took a monumental leap forward in his third season, becoming the NFL’s third-best quarterback this season and led the Bills to their first playoff victory since 1995 in the wildcard round against the Colts. Jackson, meanwhile, was the NFL’s unanimous MVP last season and was at his best in a 20-13 win over the Titans that was closer than the score indicated.
Jackson and the Ravens’ run-focused offense is a logistical nightmare for the Bills, ready to capitalize on their glaring flaw. Colts rookie Jonathan Taylor nicked the Bills a few times in the wildcard round and Jackson, JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards provide a much tougher and more dynamic challenge. Buffalo can use Pro Bowl linebacker Tremaine Edmunds as a spy to limit Jackson’s outside runs, but containing the 2019 MVP is easier said than done, as Jackson rushed for 136 yards and a touchdown in 16 runs against the Titans. Buffalo has been susceptible to huge runs all season and everyone will be on deck to contain Baltimore’s three-headed monster.
It won’t be a walk in the park for the Ravens’ defense either. Allen and the Bills have averaged 40.4 points in their last five games and although the offense lags behind its usual standards, Buffalo has done enough to show why it’s a true competitor to the Super Bowl. Stefon Diggs, who led the NFL in receptions and receiving yards, is simply unstoppable, while fourth-round rookie Gabriel Davis has become a true No. 2 option, with four catches for 85 yards against the Colts, including two taps that were some of the weekend’s best action.
It’s no small feat for the Ravens’ defense as Pro Bowl cornerback Marlon Humphrey will be assigned to Diggs, Marcus Peters remains one of the most opportunistic ball hawks in the NFL, while Calais Campbell, Matt Judon and Pernell McPhee form an underrated pass. Baltimore essentially gobbled up Derrick Henry and the Titans’ rugged running game, but it might be too risky to dare Allen in a shootout.
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Buffalo won’t be complete as running back Zack Moss injured his ankle against Indianapolis and was ejected from the field. Moss will likely sit out the playoffs, a blow to his rookie year. However, the Bills have all but dropped out of the race and expect Allen and Devin Singletary to form a makeshift 1-2 tandem.
Bills vs. Ravens: Tale of the Tape
|
Category |
BUF |
BL |
|
Registration |
13-3 |
11-5 |
|
Face-to-face |
N / A |
N / A |
|
Points for (per game) |
31.3 |
29.3 |
|
Points against (per game) |
23.4 |
18.9 |
Bills will win because
Josh Allen is on fire and despite the Ravens’ defensive pedigree, there’s no team in the league that should intimidate him. Diggs, Davis and second-team All-Pro Cole Beasley are as effective a trio as there is in the NFL right now, while the Buffalo secondary should wipe out all of Baltimore’s speed-focused options in the game. of passes.
The crows will win because
Jackson and the Ravens can run the ball down the Bills’ throat and take full advantage of their opponent’s porous run defense. Baltimore’s front seven, especially Campbell and Judon, are athletic enough to keep up with Allen’s improvisation in the pocket and his propensity to take off with the ball in his hands. Baltimore’s effective running game could also keep the ball out of Allen’s hands, and limiting Buffalo’s possessions could end up losing pace with the offensive juggernaut.
NFL Divisional Round Previews
What is the 2021 NFL playoff schedule?
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Wildcard Games: January 9-10
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Divisional Games: January 16-17
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Conference Championships: January 24
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Super Bowl: February 7
NFL Divisional Round Schedule
saturday january 16
NFL Divisional Round Schedule
Sunday January 17
NFL AFC/NFC Conference Championship Schedule
Sunday January 24
|
Time |
Match |
Stream in Canada |
|
To be determined |
To be determined |
|
|
To be determined |
To be determined |
NFL Super Bowl 55 Schedule
Sunday February 7
|
Time |
Match |
Stream in Canada |
|
To be determined |
AFC Champion vs. NFC Champion |
