Buffalo Bills vs. Baltimore Ravens first-half open thread

The Buffalo Bills (9-3) play host to the Baltimore Ravens (10-2) today in a game that has tremendous implications in the AFC playoff picture. The Ravens are currently the first seed in the conference, and they can solidify their hold on that seed with a victory.

Buffalo, on the other hand, is the fifth seed, sitting one game behind the AFC East division-leading New England Patriots, who host the Kansas City Chiefs at 4:30 this afternoon. In short, little can be salted away here after today’s games, but the winning teams of these two contests will put themselves in good position moving forward.

Buffalo enters the game on a three-game win streak. They defeated the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day in a 26-15 game that was not nearly as close as the score would suggest. Quarterback Josh Allen was magnificent, completing 19-of-24 passes for 231 yards and a touchdown, adding 43 yards and a score on the ground, as well.

Baltimore comes into today’s game the winner of eight straight. Their last defeat came on September 29 at the hands of the Cleveland Browns. Last week, they handed the San Francisco 49ers their second loss of the season, winning a rain-soaked decision 20-17. Quarterback Lamar Jackson completed 14-of-23 passes for 105 yards and a touchdown, adding 101 yards rushing and a touchdown against one of the league’s best defenses.

Bills wide receiver John Brown faces the team that he chose over Buffalo last offseason, as he was the 2018 Baltimore offense’s leader in receiving yards (715) and touchdowns (5). He has already surpassed or equaled both totals this season, as he has 882 yards receiving and five touchdowns through 12 games.

Your first-half thread is here, ladies and gentlemen, for what is sure to be a good game. Enjoy it wherever you are. Go Bills!