Tough test for the Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens avoided a catastrophe last week by earning their first win of the season. As a “reward,” they will now have to measure their strength against the best offense in the NFL.

Teams that start the season 0-3 have just a 2.5% chance of reaching the postseason. Baltimore no longer has to worry about that statistic, thanks to its victory in Dallas (28-25), closer than necessary.

Now, the next item on the list is to demonstrate that, despite their record, the Ravens are still one of the heavyweights in the American Conference.

They won’t have to wait long to find out where they stand. Tonight they will have their toughest test of the season when they host Josh Allen and an undefeated Buffalo Bills looking to go 4-0 for the third time since 1993.

With Monday night’s 47-point display against Jacksonville, Buffalo had three games with at least 30 points. Josh Allen is second in the entire league with seven touchdown passes and is looking to achieve his fourth game without an interception, something he has not achieved since the 2019 season.

With this panorama, Baltimore has two options: find an instant solution to a defense that has conceded 26 points on average in its first three games and falters particularly in the last quarter (39 points), or keep step by step with the offensive arsenal of Buffalo.

When you have Lamar Jackson and an offense that leads the NFL in yards produced, the second option is the most viable, if not the only one. On the way to their victory against the Cowboys, the Ravens found their formula again, with 274 yards on the ground that allowed Jackson to find favorable coverage in the passing game.

Long offensives translate into keeping the rival attack off the field of play. It’s not a bad idea to try to replicate the plan against Allen and the Bills. Of course it’s easier to say.

Rest of the week

Week 4 of the NFL continues today with the following games: Kansas City against Chargers, Minnesota against Green Bay, New Orleans visits Atlanta, Cincinnati against Carolina, Rams visit Chicago, Jaguars against Houston; Pittsburgh faces Indianapolis, Denver will face the Jets, Philadelphia visits Tampa Bay, Washington will face Arizona, New England will go to San Francisco and Cleveland will play in Las Vegas.

Tomorrow there will be a doubleheader: Tennessee visits Miami and Seattle visits Detriot.— AP