Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Bobby Babich might hang his hat on stopping rookie quarterback Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos in the AFC Wild Card. However, they’ll face Baltimore Ravens all-pro quarterback Lamar Jackson this week. In case you didn’t know, there’s a big difference.
When your quarterback says:
“Let’s go respond.” 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/ybSQJzVaes
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 12, 2025
Jackson has been inhuman this season, tallying over 4,000 yards passing and eclipsing 915 yards rushing. Babich and his Bills have shown signs of prestige in 2024, but in a battered AFC East, the competition has not been near the potency that the Ravens and Jackson deal with in the AFC North.
That said, expect Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken to focus on using rollout plays and crossing routes to force Babich out of zone coverage. Once Babich is forced into playing man, Monken can sequence those quarterback zone-read plays with Jackson and running back Derrick Henry.
Lamar on his cold weather prep: pic.twitter.com/bAKiuPIwxm
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 15, 2025
Allowing roughly 113 rush yards per game in 2024, Babich and the Bills are ready to prove they can follow up their AFC Wild Card performance in style. However, against Jackson and the No. 1 rushing offense in the league, it would be pretty unrealistic for Babich to think things will be a cakewalk. If the Bills defense takes the wrong angle on Henry or Jackson, Babich will likely face nightmares about it all off-season long.
