Bills host the Ravens Sunday at Highmark Stadium
The Buffalo Bills return from their bye week Sunday to face the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium, with a 1 p.m. Eastern kickoff and two teams trying to clean up their late-game defense.
Buffalo is 5-1 and Baltimore is 4-3 entering the Week 8 matchup. CBS will televise the game, and 97 Rock will carry the radio broadcast, the team reported.
Closing out games is a priority
Buffalo won its last two games by three points apiece: 37-34 in overtime against the Los Angeles Rams and 33-30 against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Bills then had their Week 7 bye.
The Bills allowed 20 fourth-quarter points against Los Angeles and 10 against Las Vegas. Defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard has emphasized execution, cleaner communication and fewer penalties as Buffalo prepares for Baltimore, the team reported.
Baltimore is coming off a 35-13 loss to Cincinnati after leading 13-0 at halftime. The Bengals scored touchdowns on five consecutive second-half possessions. Ravens coach Jesse Minter has made maintaining the team's level of play after halftime a focus this week.
Buffalo rallied from a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat Baltimore 41-40 in last season's opener.
Thursday's injury report
Spencer Brown missed Thursday's practice with a back injury, and cornerback Dee Alford did not participate because of an ankle injury. Running back Ray Davis also missed the session with an illness, the team reported.
Defensive linemen Ed Oliver, who has a knee injury, and T.J. Sanders, who has a shoulder injury, improved to full participation. Receiver DJ Moore remained limited with a shoulder injury, as did tight end Dalton Kincaid with a chest injury and linebacker Bradley Chubb with chest and thumb injuries.
Tyrell Shavers was limited with a knee injury. Buffalo opened the receiver's 21-day practice window Wednesday as he works back from a torn ACL. He remains on injured reserve while the team decides whether to activate him.
Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson practiced fully Thursday despite an ankle injury. Safety Kyle Hamilton and linebacker Roquan Smith were limited with knee injuries, while safety Jaylinn Hawkins did not participate because of a knee injury. Friday participation and final game designations had not been posted when this preview was prepared.
Buffalo also expects Damar Hamlin to step in at safety alongside Cole Bishop while C.J. Gardner-Johnson serves a one-game suspension, the team reported.
Broadcast and the week ahead
Sunday's kickoff comes after the overnight return to standard time. The game is at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, and the Bills' stadium theme is Native American Heritage. Former receiver Andre Reed is the team's Legend of the Game.
The NFL game center has the official matchup information. FL1's Bills Weekly episode also looks ahead to Buffalo's return from the bye.
After Baltimore, the Bills travel to Minnesota for an 8:15 p.m. Eastern game Monday, Nov. 9, at U.S. Bank Stadium.
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