Bills vs. Ravens, Divisional Round preview: Recent playoff history

As the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens prepare to square off in the biggest game for the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs, fans can’t help but reflect on the teams’ Week 4 encounter. The Ravens dominated that game, throttling the Bills on their way to a 35-10 victory.

Running back Derrick Henry set the tone early with an 87-yard touchdown run on the first offensive play of the game for Baltimore. It didn’t stop there, as the Ravens piled up 271 yards on the ground, averaging a whopping 8.0 yards per carry.

Meanwhile, the Bills’ roster looks a lot different compared to the game in Week 4. Buffalo was missing key defensive contributors in linebackers Terrel Bernard and Matt Milano, plus nickel cornerback Taron Johnson.

They also hadn’t yet added wide receiver Amari Cooper via trade to their offensive arsenal. It’s a huge benefit that all of them are set to play this weekend.

Baltimore’s defense caused plenty of problems for Buffalo in their last matchup. In recording three sacks and holding nine of Buffalo’s drives without a score, both are the most this season against the Bills’ offense.

The Ravens’ defense had its struggles after Week 4, but has been dynamic since moving Kyle Hamilton back to deep safety in Week 11. Also, Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers missed the Super Wild Card Playoff game and his status is in question again this week.

Week 4 was an awful long time ago, and both teams look different now than they did back then. This rematch is all about adjustments and redemption.

Let’s dive into each team’s recent playoff history when facing the same opponent during the regular season. Both Allen and Jackson began their NFL careers in 2018, so that will be our starting point.

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Buffalo Bills’ playoff history since 2018

Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images

2018

• The Bills did not make the playoffs.

2019

• Houston Texans: 19-22 (OT) Loss in Wild Card Round. The teams did not meet in the regular season.

2020

• Indianapolis Colts: 27-24 Win during Super Wild Card Weekend. The teams did not meet in the regular season.
• Baltimore Ravens: 17-3 Win in Divisional round. The teams did not meet in the regular season.
• Kansas City Chiefs: 24-38 Loss in AFC Championship. Bills lost to Kansas City 17-26 in the regular season.

2021

• New England Patriots: 47-17 Win during Super Wild Card Weekend. Teams faced off twice in the regular season, splitting games. First game Bills lost 10-14 and in the second game, the Bills won 33-21.
• Kansas City Chiefs: 36-42 (OT) Loss in Divisional Round. Bills beat Chiefs 38-20 in the regular season.

2022

• Miami Dolphins: 34-31 Win during Super Wild Card Weekend. Teams faced off twice in the regular season, splitting the contests. In the first game, the Bills lost 19-21 (“heat game”) and in the second game, the Bills won 32-29.
• Cincinnati Bengals: 27-10 Loss in the Divisional Round. The teams had a scheduled matchup in the regular season but the game was cancelled due to Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest on the field.

2023

• Pittsburgh Steelers: 31-17 Win during Super Wild Card Weekend. The teams did not meet in the regular season.
• Kansas City Chiefs: 24-27 Loss in the Divisional Round. The Bills beat the Chiefs 20-17 in the regular season.

2024

• Denver Broncos: 31-7 Win during Super Wild Card Weekend. The teams did not meet in the regular season.

Bills’ overall record in a playoff rematch game: 2-3

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Baltimore Ravens’ Playoff History Since 2018

Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images

2018

• Los Angeles Chargers: 23-17 loss in the Wild Card Round. The Ravens beat the Chargers 22-10 in the regular season.

2019 — Number 1 Seed

• Tennessee Titans: 28-12 Loss in Divisional Round. The teams did not meet in the regular season.

2020

• Tennessee Titans: 20-13 Win during Super Wild Card Weekend. The Ravens lost to the Titans 30-24 (OT) in the regular season.
• Buffalo Bills: 17-3 loss in Divisional Round. The teams did not meet in the regular season.

2021

• The Ravens did not make the playoffs.

2022

• Cincinnati Bengals: 24-17 Loss during Super Wild Card Weekend. Lamar Jackson did not play in this game. The teams faced off twice in the regular season, splitting the contests. In the first game, the Ravens won 19-17 and in the second game, the Ravens lost 27-16 without Lamar Jackson.

2023 — Number 1 Seed

• Houston Texans: 34-10 Win in Divisional Round. The Ravens beat the Texans 25-9 in the regular season.
• Kansas City Chiefs: 17-10 loss in the AFC Championship. The teams did not meet in the regular season.

2024

Pittsburgh Steelers: 28-14 Win during Super Wild Card Weekend. Teams faced off twice in the regular season, splitting the contests. In the first game, the Ravens lost 18-16 and in the second game, the Ravens won 34-17.

Ravens’ overall record in a playoff rematch game: 3-2

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Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images

The Buffalo Bills have created quite the playoff rematch history with the Kansas City Chiefs, but their history with the Ravens isn’t as strong. We all know how epic most games are between the Bills and Chiefs.

That said, it wouldn’t be surprising if this season’s playoff rematch between the Bills and Ravens is on the same level. Get ready for a good one, folks!

Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images