The Buffalo Bills are moving on to the Divisional Round, and they're set to host the Baltimore Ravens in the most highly-anticipated game of the weekend. The schedule makers know it — they quickly put the Bills vs Ravens game in the Sunday late slot, the final game of the weekend.
The last time the two teams met, Buffalo didn't have a good time. It was their worst performance of the season, losing 35-10. This time around, though, Buffalo will have three massive advantages that they didn't have last time — Terrel Bernard, Taron Johnson, and Matt Milano, all three of whom were out injured last time, and look to be good to go for this meeting.
Those three players are three of Buffalo's most critical assets on the defensive side of the ball, and their contributions will be sorely needed going against the likes of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry.
Bernard and Milano, in particular, are crucial. The linebacker position is instrumental against the run game, and the linebackers struggled mightily last time these two teams met. Baylon Spector, who filled in for Bernard at the middle linebacker spot, had a very rough game. On 34 running plays, Spector had only two tackles, one assist, and was credited with one missed tackle. Spector's average depth of tackles on running plays was 6.5 yards past the line of scrimmage. For context, Milano and Bernard both have an average run play tackle depth of 2.3 yards. That's quite a difference.
Then there's Johnson, for my money the best nickel cornerback in the league. He's instinctual, contributes in the run game, and has a knack for coming up with big plays, like he did in 2021 when he tied an NFL record with a 101-yard pick six against Jackson.
Bernard and Milano's impact in the run game has the potential to be huge. Their speed, communication, and ability to identify what happens in front of them will be absolutely crucial to trying to slow down one of the most potent ground attacks in the NFL.
