Buffalo Bills face Baltimore Ravens in Joe Brady debut

Joe Brady Seeks to Extend Buffalo Bye Week Success

The Buffalo Bills take on the Baltimore Ravens this week in what marks the first post-bye week game of head coach Joe Brady’s tenure. Under former head coach Sean McDermott, the Bills posted a flawless 9-0 record following a bye week. The extra week of rest arrived at an opportune moment for a Buffalo squad that dealt with significant injuries heading into their previous contest against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Wide Receiver Moore Returns to Spark the Passing Attack

Moore is trending toward playing against Baltimore after missing the previous two games due to a flare-up of the same shoulder injury that forced him to sit out contests against the Detroit Lions and New England Patriots. His return provides a major boost to a Buffalo passing game that ranks No. 12 overall in passing yards and No. 17 in passing touchdowns despite sitting at No. 30 overall in passing attempts. Quarterback Josh Allen looks to build on his early-season efficiency with his primary wide receiver back on the field. Moore has accumulated 12 catches for 178 yards and one touchdown on 20 targets this season. In the two games where he started and finished fully, Moore recorded 11 catches for 167 yards and a score, while Allen totaled 538 passing yards and two scores.

Khalil Shakir and Dalton Kincaid Target Baltimore Interior

Baltimore enters the contest allowing just 3.8 yards per rush, prompting suggestions that Buffalo should lean on its “11” personnel grouping rather than heavier packages. This strategic shift creates opportunities for Khalil Shakir, who experienced a reduction in early-season targets compared to his role as Allen’s primary option over the previous two seasons. Shakir is currently on pace to finish the year with 62 catches for 821 yards and three touchdowns on 91 targets, which would mark his lowest statistical output since 2023 when Stefon Diggs dominated the target share. Buffalo benefits from dynamic slot options in Shakir and tight end Dalton Kincaid, particularly if Baltimore deploys safety Kyle Hamilton to neutralize Kincaid.

Greg Rousseau and Ed Anchor the Defensive Front Against Lamar Jackson

Greg Rousseau cooled off during the last three games following a dominant September that earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Month honors with 15 tackles, six sacks, three forced fumbles, eight tackles for loss, 12 quarterback hits, and one pass deflection. Over the subsequent three games, Rousseau registered six tackles, seven quarterback hits, four pass deflections, and zero sacks or tackles for loss as opponents adjusted their blocking schemes. He faces the challenge of containing Lamar Jackson, who is slated to return from an ankle injury. Alongside Rousseau, a healthy Ed returns to the interior defensive line after battling hip and knee injuries that disrupted his consistency.

Safety Depth Faces a Test Against Baltimore Weapons

Gardner-Johnson’s vacant snaps alongside Cole Bishop, though rookie Jalon Kilgore could see playing time. Hamlin brings tackling ability and experience, but questions persist regarding his speed in coverage against elite pass-catchers like Mark Andrews and Zay Flowers. Baltimore’s offense is expected to target the secondary matchups, placing a heavy burden on the Buffalo defensive backfield to maintain discipline and limit explosive plays.