Stock up, stock down following the Bills’ AFC Divisional win over Ravens
The Buffalo Bills began the 2024 NFL season with the goal of making it to the Super Bowl after many outside of the organization said that this would be a rebuilding season of sorts. Not only did Buffalo make it back to the playoffs, but they did it with a better record and Sunday, they showed that they weren’t going to let the Baltimore Ravens get in the way of their mission.
In their AFC Divisional matchup, the Bills beat the Ravens 27-25 thanks in large part to Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson and tight end Mark Andrews being unable to connect on a two-point conversation that could have sent the game into overtime. Buffalo let go of the rope in the second half, allowing the Ravens to come back from a 21-10 halftime deficit, but Josh Allen and company held on when it mattered the most.
With this win, the Bills are back to the AFC Championship Game for the first time since the 2020 season and this time, they are hoping to overcome the Kansas City Chiefs for the right to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. Before getting to that, here is Bills Wire’s stock report following Buffalo’s narrow win over the Ravens in the AFC Divisional on Sunday:
Stock Up: WR Khalil Shakir
Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
It was a snowy day at Orchard Park and as a result, the passing game became harder to rely on for both teams as the game went on. In Buffalo’s case, Shakir was the leading receiver in almost every category and it was clear that he was the only one that could make plays on a consistent basis for a Bills team that had just 126 yards passing, Shakir accounting for 67 of those receiving yards.
Stock Down: WR Keon Coleman
Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
While it has been noted that the Bills did not attempt that many passes in Sunday’s win over the Ravens, it should be pointed out that Coleman should have had more of an impact based off his profile as a player who can use his size and athleticism to make some tough catches. Granted, he only received one target in this game, but given his talent, Coleman should be expected to do more and he will have a chance to do so in the AFC Championship Game.
Stock Up: DE Greg Rousseau
Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
Rousseau continued his string of good play for the Bills as he was disruptive all game long on the line of scrimmage and in the backfield as he continued to put pressure on Lamar Jackson. For someone like Jackson, it is important for a defense to continually put pressure on him while also now allowing to escape that pressure and the Bills were able to achieve both of those goals thanks in large part to Rousseau’s play.
Stock Down: Bills Secondary
Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
While the Bills’ secondary has shown up at various points this season, part of the reason that the Ravens were able to make this game close was due to the inability of Buffalo’s defensive backfield to make plays to disrupt what Baltimore was doing in the passing game. Three different Ravens had at least 61 receiving yards and all of them had at least 12.2 yards per catch, led by tight end Isaiah Likely with his four catches for 73 yards (18.3 yards per reception) and one touchdown.
Stock Up: RB Ray Davis
Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
Davis played just 10% of the snaps for the Bills in this one, but his time on the field was vital to Buffalo keeping the pressure on the Ravens. In just six snaps, Davis ran four times for 29 yards and one touchdown, all while spelling starting running back James Cook, who had a decent game himself, but Davis brought his spark to the game that allowed Buffalo to stay within striking distance.
Stock Up: K Tyler Bass
Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
This entry is to point out how good Bass has been for the Bills, especially with consideration to how he has had his struggles kicking the ball in the playoffs in the past. Bass hasn’t missed a field-goal since Dec. 15 and in this one, he had two key field-goals to give Buffalo the margin it needed to at least go to overtime against the Ravens if Mark Andrews was able to hold on to the two-point conversion that he makes in his sleep.
