–The big question is what are the ramifications of the Bills coming back from a 40-25 deficit in the last four minutes to beat the Ravens. The Ravens became the first team to score 40 points and rush for 235 or more yards and lose. Was the victory a springboard to a Super Bowl season for the Bills since their two remaining challenging games are at home against the Chiefs and Eagles. They figure to sweep their six division games Their next five games before the bye are against the Jets, Miami, Saints, Patriots and Falcons. After the bye the non divisional games besides the Chiefs and Eagles are against the Panthers, Bucs, Texans, Steelers and Browns. The table is set for the Bills.
–For the Ravens, the question is how they bounce back from another devastating loss. They have a habit of blowing leads or failing in crunch time in big games. Last year they lost in the playoffs to the Bills when Mark Andrews dropped a two point conversion that would have tied the game. This time they had 40 points with 11:42 left and didn’t score again. Derrick Henry’s fumble and coach John Harbaugh’s decision to punt the ball back to Josh Allen instead of going for it on 4th and 3 at the Ravens’ 38 with a minute and a half left sealed their fate. It likely means that if they play the Bills in the playoffs, they will have to go to Buffalo again.
–The Green Bay Packers and the San Diego Chargers turned in two of the biggest victories with the Pack beating Detroit and the Chargers beating the Chiefs. And the Pack got early dividends from the trade for Micah Parsons when he got a sack and three pressures. Now both the Lions and Chiefs are a game back in their divisions. Last year Detroit lost its second game to the Rams and then reeled off 11 wins in a row. The Chiefs won their first nine last year.
–The Eagles got their bid for a repeat off to a good start by beating the Cowboys despite the Jalen Carter ejection for spitting. Now they go to Kansas City for a Super Bowl rematch that will be good test for them against a Chiefs team that is desperate for a win.
–The Cincinnati Bengals weren’t impressive in their 17-16 victory over the Browns but they found a way to win after having slow starts in recent years. Even Joe Burrow said they lost those kind of games last year. The Bengals were swept by the Ravens last year and missed the playoffs with a 9-8 record so maybe a fast start (they host the Jaguars next week) will get them in the playoff picture.
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