NFL
In Week 7, the Baltimore Ravens want to forget what happened against the Cincinnati Bengals and move on. As usual, they got out to a 13-0 lead but couldn’t hang on, losing to the Bengals 35-13. For the 3rd straight game, quarterback Lamar Jackson was sidelined with a high ankle sprain and wasn’t 100%. Now, with the Bengals officially behind them, the Ravens can prepare for another big-time matchup in Week 8. This week, the Baltimore Ravens head to western New York to face the Buffalo Bills.
Week 8 features a matchup between 2 AFC teams looking to position themselves for a late-season run. The Baltimore Ravens take on the Buffalo Bills in a potential matchup of 2 of the best quarterbacks in football. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and, if he’s healthy enough, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will face off in a heavyweight battle. This matchup will be the 8th all-time meeting between quarterbacks Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson in Week 8 on Sunday. Josh Allen currently holds the advantage in head-to-head meetings against Lamar Jackson, 4-3, including 2 playoff wins head-to-head.
The Baltimore Ravens come into Week 8 coming off a brutal loss against their division rival, the Cincinnati Bengals, 35-13. After storming out to a 13-0 halftime lead, the Ravens were shut out in the entire 2nd half. The Ravens’ defense gave up 35 points on 5 straight drives by the Cincinnati offense, with Joe Burrow throwing 4 touchdowns.
This week, Baltimore could be getting Lamar Jackson back from injury after missing 3 games with an ankle injury. If he does return, Jackson will do so with a different Offensive Line lineup under center against the Bills. When Lamar Jackson last played, Jovaughn Gwyn snapped the ball; this time, it will be Cam Jurgens.
The Buffalo Bills are coming off their bye week, with a record of 5 and 1 on the season. In Week 6, Buffalo came out on the end of a 33-30 win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Vegas. Even with a 5-1 record, Buffalo has struggled, particularly on defense, this season.
In their 6 games of the 2026 season, the Buffalo Bills are ranked 31st in total defense, which has been a problem. Also, ranked near the bottom in pass defense, giving up 285 passing yards per game through 6 weeks. In 4 of their 5 wins, the defense has given up at least 30 points. They may need another big performance from Josh Allen and company to beat the Baltimore Ravens.
When the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills meet, a lot of fireworks happen. And this one has all the makings of another Lamar Jackson vs. Josh Allen classic in Week 8 in Buffalo.
Keys to Victory:
Baltimore’s keys to victory are to set the tone with the running game and play smash-mouth football. Also, make Lamar Jackson feel comfortable throwing to his pass-catchers, mainly Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman.
For Buffalo, the keys to victory are forcing Lamar Jackson into mistakes by creating turnovers. And take away his #1 target, wide receiver Zay Flowers, on the outside.
In the last 2 meetings, the Buffalo Bills won both games by a combined 3 points: 41-40 and 27-25. What will make the difference in this game will be the return of Lamar Jackson and Baltimore’s running attack. And Buffalo’s defense will continue to give up 30 points a game, and this game will be no different.
Prediction:
Baltimore Ravens 37, Buffalo Bills 27
