Confidence is soaring among Ravens fans as Baltimore prepares for their highly anticipated Divisional Round clash with the Buffalo Bills. According to a poll conducted earlier this week by Baltimore Beatdown, the majority of Ravens faithful are optimistic about the team advancing to the AFC Championship, with many believing they’ll also cover the narrow 1.5-point spread in their favor.
However, the optimism within Baltimore stands in stark contrast to opinions from national fanbases and analysts, who are largely backing the Bills to pull off an upset.
Ravens fans have reason to feel good about their chances. Baltimore is riding high after a dominant wild-card win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, and MVP-caliber quarterback Lamar Jackson is playing some of the best football of his career. Adding to their confidence is the Ravens’ earlier season victory over Buffalo, a game in which their physicality and defensive discipline shone through.
According to the Baltimore Beatdown poll, over 70% of Ravens fans are expecting a victory on Sunday, despite some concerns over injuries, including the absence of star wide receiver Zay Flowers. Many believe the team’s punishing ground game, led by Derrick Henry, will be the difference-maker in a cold-weather game that favors physicality and clock control.
While Baltimore fans exude confidence, the national sentiment tells a different story. Polls conducted across SB Nation team sites indicate that most fans outside of Baltimore are backing the Bills +1.5, expecting a Buffalo victory. The reasoning? National pundits and fans appear to have more faith in Josh Allen and the Bills’ home-field advantage than in Baltimore’s recent success.
A common narrative this week has revolved around weather conditions in Buffalo. Some argue that the blistering cold could hinder Lamar Jackson and the Ravens’ offensive rhythm. Yet, as Baltimore fans are quick to point out, Charm City is hardly a tropical haven. The Ravens are no strangers to playing in tough conditions, and their roster is loaded with players accustomed to cold-weather football, from Minnesota alums Rashod Bateman and Daniel Faalele to the rugged Derrick Henry.
So why the national doubt? Much of it stems from the Bills’ reputation under head coach Sean McDermott, who has led Buffalo to a league-best 14-2 record in sub-freezing temperatures since 1991. Many fans see this as a significant edge for the Bills, particularly with Allen’s ability to extend plays and thrive under pressure. Additionally, Baltimore’s injury woes—most notably the absence of Zay Flowers—have some questioning whether the Ravens have enough firepower to keep pace in a potential shootout.
On the other hand, Ravens fans highlight Buffalo’s vulnerability against power running teams, a weakness Baltimore is perfectly suited to exploit. The Ravens also boast a defense capable of generating turnovers and stifling Buffalo’s quick-strike offense.
This Divisional Round matchup is more than just a clash of styles—it’s a battle for respect. For Baltimore, a win would validate their status as legitimate Super Bowl contenders and silence doubters who see them as vulnerable on the road. For Buffalo, it’s a chance to reaffirm their dominance in the AFC and prove they can handle the physicality of a team like the Ravens.
While national fans may doubt Baltimore’s ability to handle the challenge, the Ravens faithful remain steadfast. With Lamar Jackson leading the charge and a team built for playoff football, Baltimore has every reason to believe they’ll be celebrating a trip to the AFC Championship on Sunday night.