<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0uhNGQ_0vmGOMNM00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0uhNGQ_0vmGOMNM00" width="400" height="225" ><figcaption>ravens helmet SOURCE: WBAL-TV\Jacob Sexton</figcaption></figure>Two heavy hitters take the national stage for Sunday Night Football as the Baltimore Ravens host the undefeated Buffalo Bills.The Ravens (1-2) did a great job against the run in last week's win at Dallas, allowing just 51 rushing yards. They'll be tested against the Bills (3-0), namely quarterback Josh Allen and running back James Cook. If Baltimore wants to move to .500 on the season and hand a rolling Bills team their first loss of the year, they'll need to stop Allen on the ground and through the air, among other keys. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0chggp_0vmGOMNM00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0chggp_0vmGOMNM00" width="900" height="506" ><figcaption>Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>1<h2>Disrupt Josh Allen through the air, on the ground </h2>Through three games this season, Allen has nine touchdowns (two rushing) and no interceptions. Despite trading away its top receiving option in Stefon Diggs, Buffalo's offense still ranks in the top half of the league, and is the top-scoring offense through three weeks.Baltimore will have to hone in on Allen’s rushing abilities and hope its defense – who is currently ranked No. 1 overall in rush defense – can aid in stopping the mobile signal-caller. It’s pass defense, however, is ranked last in the NFL. This may make Buffalo’s play-action more frequent, setting up Allen to succeed through the air and on the ground, depending on the fake. While Allen's passing yards are down from this time in previous seasons, he is still averaging 211 yards through the air per game, coming against shaky Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars defenses. Baltimore allowed Cowboys’ quarterback 379 yards last week, who had been limited to 179 and 293 yards in his first two games. The 379 were the 14th-most in his 9-year career (Pro Football Reference). Thankfully, Baltimore, in three games against Allen in his career, has limited him to an average of 144 passing yards and a 1-2 record. Historically, Allen is 6-1 all-time on Sunday Night Football, but Baltimore holds the best home (20-3) and overall (39-18) records in primetime since 2008.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1cwV7W_0vmGOMNM00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1cwV7W_0vmGOMNM00" width="900" height="508" ><figcaption>AP Christian Petersen</figcaption></figure>2<h2>Get Mark Andrews involved </h2>A top player at his position has been limited to six catches for 65 yards through three games. He saw a season-worst 33% of the offensive snaps in Week 3 and caught no passes on one target."You look at the first game. I was out there 70-something snaps, or whatever it was, but it got a lot of attention," Andrews said. "Last game, we had a gameplan, and Pat [Ricard], Charlie [Kolar] and Isaiah [Likely] have been in bigger packages. I wasn't in on that… I think each game will be different."In two games this season, Buffalo's defense has allowed tight ends to average double-digit yards per reception. This includes Jacksonville, which lost starter Evan Engram after one catch, and Miami, who doesn't have much skill at the position since Mike Gesicki left multiple seasons ago.Baltimore could look to its tight ends more in general, as Isaiah Likely has just three catches since his 111-yard burst in the season opener, and Charlie Kolar hasn't topped more than one target in any game this season.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0wj0kW_0vmGOMNM00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0wj0kW_0vmGOMNM00" width="900" height="506" ><figcaption>Perry Knotts</figcaption></figure>3<h2>Defense, pass rush must play four quarters </h2>For the scond consecutive week, Baltimore allowed a substantial number of yards, points and committed penalties in the fourth quarter against the Cowboys, almost costing them the game. Its 13 total penalties in the game surpassed the century mark for penalty yards for a second time this season."We just have to get better," Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr said. "We [are] grinding to try to make it right. We know what we're capable of doing, but we have to do it for four quarters, and we haven't done that the last two games."A cage rush, where the defense attempts to contain the quarterback in the backfield, will be crucial if Baltimore's defense wants to have less fatigue entering the final quarter.If the defense can work together to rush offensive blockers and don't overcommit, not only will they commit stops, but they won't be on the field for extended periods.This will also help in guarding Bills’ No. 1 receiver, Khalil Shakir, who has caught all 14 attempts thrown his way for a team-leading 168 yards and two touchdowns. He has caught all 27 targets, matching the best run by an NFL wide receiver since at least 1991 (Associated Press).</div></body>

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Ravens must cage-defend Josh Allen, play full four quarters in primetime battle vs. Bills

Two heavy hitters take the national stage for Sunday Night Football as the Baltimore Ravens host the undefeated Buffalo Bills. The Ravens (1-2) did a great job against the run in last week's win at Dallas, allowing just 51 rushing yards. They'll be tested against the Bills (3-0), namely quarterback Josh Allen and running back James Cook.

Ravens must cage-defend Josh Allen, play full four quarters in primetime battle vs. Bills

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