The Ravens will head north to face Buffalo Bills in the playoffs for the first time in the franchise’s history. They will meet at Bills Stadium in the AFC divisional playoffs on Saturday at 8:15 pm on NBC.
The Browns’ victory over the Steelers in the final game of the Wild-Card Weekend put Cleveland in sixth place against Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.
The 5th Ravens takes the 2nd Bills (13-3), who won the Indianapolis Colts, by 27 to 24, in the wild card round to end their streak without winning in the 25-year playoffs.
Bills have won their last seven games and haven’t lost at home since October 19 to the Chiefs.
Buffalo is armed with an explosive offensive led by quarterback Josh Allen, who had a blast in season three to put him in the MVP conversation. The strong-armed gunman finished fifth in the NFL in passing yards (4,544) and fifth in passing touchdowns (37).
Allen is also a threat with his legs, as the 6-foot-5, 237-pound athlete ran for 421 yards and eight touchdowns. Against the Colts on Saturday, Allen ran for 54 yards and a touchdown and shot for 324 yards and two points.
Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs had the most receiving yards in the NFL this season (1,535). The Maryland product recorded six receptions for 128 yards and a touchdown against Indianapolis.
Buffalo ended the regular season tied with the Titans with the league’s No. 2 bout with 396.4 yards per game. Bills also came in second in the NFL in points scored per game (31.3).
While the Titans’ defense ranked near the end of the league, Bills was 14th in yards (352.5) and 16th in points per game (23.4).
The Ravens played in Orchard Park, NY last season and won 24-17 in December. Baltimore never lost in the game, but Bills almost made a comeback in the fourth quarter. Marcus Peters interrupted a pass to the final zone – then drank a beer in the stands with fans – to preserve the Ravens’ victory.
In windy conditions, Lamar Jackson did 16 from 25 to 145 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. The Ravens’ ground game averaged just 3.6 yards per pass with 118 yards on 33 passes. Meanwhile, Allen made 17 from 39 for 146 yards and a touchdown. He was fired six times.