Ravens and Bills Clash Under the Lights
The Baltimore Ravens are set to face off against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday Night Football, a matchup that many anticipate could be a precursor to a playoff showdown. Last January, the Bills emerged victorious, but this season brings fresh ambitions for both teams, who are eyeing the Super Bowl. NBC will be broadcasting the game, with kickoff scheduled for 8:15 PM ET. As we prepare for this high-stakes encounter, let’s dive into some intriguing prop bets for the AFC battle.
Prop Bets to Watch
Josh Allen Anytime Touchdown +100 on FanDuel
For our first play, let’s focus on a prop that could be considered a “Free Square”: Josh Allen scoring a touchdown. Last season, Allen struggled early with rushing touchdowns, finding the end zone only twice in the first half of the campaign. However, he turned the corner in the latter half, scoring in seven of his final ten games, including four outings with multiple touchdowns. Notably, he achieved this feat against the Ravens in the divisional round.
In their regular-season matchup, the Bills suffered a surprising 25-point defeat, which was an unusual circumstance and not reflective of the competitive nature expected in this game. Allen’s scoring prowess has been evident throughout the 2023 season, where he found the end zone in 14 of 19 games. Over the last two years, he has scored in 60% of his games, showcasing his reliability, especially near the goal line. Though the Ravens field a competent run defense, the expectation is that the Bills will utilize Allen’s mobility effectively as they approach the red zone.
Justice Hill’s Role in the Passing Game
This prop may catch some off guard, but it’s all about the matchup dynamics. The Bills’ defense has been notably vulnerable against running backs in the passing game, allowing the most receiving yards to that position last season. They also ranked near the top in total receptions and target share given to running backs.
The Dolphins’ De’Von Achane has notably capitalized on this weakness, recording impressive receiving totals against Buffalo. Justice Hill also had a standout performance against the Bills last year, racking up 78 receiving yards on six catches. While his playoff performance against them was less impressive, the favorable matchup suggests that Hill should be able to exceed 17.5 receiving yards this Sunday night, as he is likely to see several targets in the passing game.
Josh Palmer’s Ascendancy
Despite the Bills’ strengths, they lack a standout receiving threat, making Josh Palmer a player to watch. While he may not evoke comparisons to elite receivers like Ja’Marr Chase, Palmer has proven to be a reliable option. Last season with the Chargers, he surpassed 27.5 receiving yards in ten of 15 games, and this trend continued into the current season, where he hit the mark in 7 of 11 games.
Now in Buffalo, Palmer joins a team led by Allen, who has demonstrated a knack for distributing the ball effectively. The Bills have faced injuries to key wide receivers throughout training camp, creating an opportunity for Palmer to step up. With Khalil Shakir nursing a high ankle sprain and first-round pick Keon Coleman dealing with a groin issue, Palmer is primed to play a significant role in the offense. Expect him to capitalize on these circumstances and surpass 30 receiving yards on Sunday night.
As both teams gear up for this pivotal showdown, the spotlight will be on how they adapt to each other’s strengths and weaknesses. With Super Bowl aspirations on the line, this matchup is set to be a thrilling contest.
