The Ravens appeared to overlook the Bills and they paid for it on the field.  Kyle Boller was 21 for 36 for 191 with 1 TD pass and 0 interceptions.  But, he couldn’t make a play at the end of the game when the Ravens really needed it.  Willis McGahee had a great game in his return to Buffalo as he carried the ball 19 times for 114 yards (6.0 ypc) with 1 TD run.  Derrick Mason led the way for the receivers with 7 receptions for 78 yards (11.1 avg) with 1 TD grab.  Mark Clayton pitched in with 5 grabs for 49 yards (9.8 avg) in one of his best games of the season.  The Ravens finished up with 127 yards rushing on 24 carries (5.3 ypc) and they also completed 21 of 37 passes for 181 yards.

Ray Lewis led a good defensive effort by the Ravens as he had 13 tackles.  The Ravens held the Bills to 103 yards on 33 carries (3.1 ypc) and they completed 11 of 21 passes for 149 yards.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=271021002

There’s some reasons why the Ravens are only favored by three points in this football game.  The Ravens don’t usually bring their A-Game on the road with them.  They are 1-2 on the road and they’ve been outscored 61-42 in those games.  Kyle Boller wll be starting this week and he hasn’t exactly sparked the Ravens offense this season.  The Bills are only 1-2 at home despite outscoring their opponents 55-54.  They have lost two home games on the last play.

The Ravens will likely pound the football with an inspired Willis McGahee (525 yards rushing, 4.1 ypc) running against his old team that has a poor run defense (133.6 yards rushing per game, 4.6 ypc).  The Ravens will likely try to keep the ball on the ground because Kyle Boller doesn’t exactly inspire confidence in the passing game especially with TE Todd Heap likely out for the game.  With that in mind the Ravens would benefit from Mark Clayton playing up to his ability on Sunday which he hasn’t yet this season.  Derrick Mason (49 rec, 451 yards) and Demetrius Williams (18 rec, 267 yards) could have decent games against a Bills defense that is allowing 287.8 yards passing per game but the Ravens better  be careful with the football because the Bills have 9 interceptions so far this season.

If the Bills are going have a chance in this football game they will have to open up the offense a little bit.  The Bills need to let rookie QB Trent Edwards pound the ball down the field to Lee Evans and challenge the Ravens corners which aren’t that good.  It’s been a shame that the Bills are wasting the talents of Lee Evans (12 rec, 113 yards) who is by far the most talented player on the Bills’ offense.  The Bills would like to run Marshawn Lynch in an attempt to control the clock but he will have his hands full against Ray Lewis and the rest of the Ravens defense which is only allowing 66.7 yards rushing per game and 2.9 yards per carry.

Both teams have big-time return men in the kicking game and this will be a big key to the game because neither team has a explosive offense.  KR/PR Yamon Figurs of the Ravens has been outstanding since he moved into the starting role.  He’s a little guy so the Bills will have to stay in their lanes.  KR Terrence McGee and PR Roscoe Parrish are two of the most elite return men in the NFL as they can take any kick to the house.

PREDICTION:  The Ravens have the better team but the Bills almost beat the Cowboys in their last game and they are way better than the Ravens.  Baltimore Ravens 16, Buffalo Bills 14.

The Ravens will be without starting cornerback Chris McAllister for the next three to four weeks with a strained right knee.  McAllister has not played up to his ability as he’s been repeatedly torched so far this season.  He only has 14 tackles and 1 interception so far this season.  Corey Ivey will start in McAllister’s spot.  He is having a good season as he has made 16 tackles, has 2 sacks, recovered a fumble and picked off a pass. 

The defense carried the offense to victory for the 2nd week in a row.  Linebacker Ray Lewis led the charge for the Ravens defense with 10 tackles.  The Ravens had 4 sacks and 5 interceptions in this game as they kept setting the offense up with good field position.  The Ravens held the Rams to 67 yards rushing on 27 carries (2.5 ypc) and they completed 19 of 36 passes for 197 yards.

Steve McNair didn’t play today because of a back problem and Kyle Boller didn’t play too well.  Boller completed 18 of 30 passes for 184 yards with 0 TD passes and 1 INT.  Willis McGahee had to fight for every yard he got as he carried the ball 25 times for 61 yards (2.4 ypc) with 1 TD run.  He also caught 4 passes for 9 yards.  Derrick Mason led all Ravens receivers with 5 catches for 79 yards (15.8 avg).  The Ravens finished up with 77 yards rushing on 31 carries (2.5 ypc) and they completed 18 of 30 passes for 171 yards.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=271014033