Buffalo Plus: What They're Saying in Baltimore About Bills vs Ravens with Sarah Ellison

Release Date: September 3, 2025
Host: Mike Catalana (Buffalo Plus)
Guest: Sarah Ellison (Ravens Vault Podcast)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Mike Catalana welcomes Sarah Ellison from the Ravens Vault podcast for an in-depth preview of the Buffalo Bills’ upcoming season opener against the Baltimore Ravens. The conversation zeroes in on how both fanbases perceive the matchup, the psychological baggage from past postseason defeats, and a detailed position-by-position breakdown of Baltimore’s evolving strengths and weaknesses. From quarterback evolution to defensive chess pieces, Sarah offers an insider’s view on how the Ravens are approaching this high-stakes opener and what factors may tip the balance.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Lingering Playoff Scars & “Revenge” Narrative

• Both teams enter 2025 hungry to wash out the “bad taste” from playoff heartbreak—mostly, at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs.

• Sarah tempers the “revenge” talk:

  “Revenge is probably a little too strong because revenge couldn’t fully be met unless it happened in the playoffs… They want to just, like, show that they weren’t themselves.” — Sarah Ellison [01:46]

• For Ravens fans and players, last year's defeat to Buffalo stings because the team didn’t play to its potential due to uncharacteristic turnovers and miscues (e.g., Lamar’s INT, Andrews’ fumble, failed 2-point conversion).

Memorable Quote:

"If they're going to lose, they want to feel like they put out their best effort." — Sarah Ellison [01:46]

2. Chiefs: The Ultimate Hurdle for Both Teams

• Despite intense Bills-Ravens showdowns, Kansas City remains Public Enemy No. 1 for both.
• Ravens' "hill to climb" is steeper with the Chiefs, as defeats have come in both regular and postseason, while they've managed regular-season wins versus Buffalo.

"Kansas City and Buffalo—it’s less about them. It’d be more about them if the Ravens put on their best effort and they still beat them. But that hasn’t been the case." — Sarah Ellison [04:09]

3. Quarterback Duel: Lamar Jackson & Josh Allen

• Statistics have underwhelmed: Despite their elite reputation, neither QB has delivered a signature performance in head-to-head matchups.
• Turnovers and self-inflicted errors by the Ravens have shifted games.
• Mike and Sarah agree: Both fanbases are fiercely devoted and “protective” of their franchise QBs.

Lamar’s Evolution:

• MVP in distinct styles (2019: run-first, 2023: more as a passer).
• Key factors:
  • Greg Roman → Todd Monken switch (more freedom, audibles, empowered Lamar as a passer).
  • Lamar’s “competitive edge” and intellectual growth are underestimated.

“Todd Monken has empowered Lamar Jackson in ways that Greg Roman didn't…” — Sarah Ellison [09:50]
“It's just like man, I'm watching two of the greats who are both future Hall of Famers, right? And it's just like we get to witness it.” — Sarah Ellison [09:50]

4. Ground Game: Derrick Henry, Keaton Mitchell & Ravens’ Run Identity

• Derrick Henry enters his age-30 season but is coming off a career-year in yards per carry (5.9 ypc).
• Sarah: His off-field preparation and intensity match his on-field dominance.
• The “mesh point” with Lamar creates perpetual headaches for defenses (“T.J. Watt just looks so utterly confused.” — [14:48]).
• Keaton Mitchell, back from injury, adds “lightning fast” explosiveness as a complement to Henry. He’s even timed faster post-injury (wearing GPS in camp).

“Trying to have to stop a bruiser like Derrick and then all of a sudden, lightning, lightning fast, and he's come back from his injury…” — Sarah Ellison [18:09]

• Bills' defensive challenges: Young, thinner D-line may give Baltimore extra opportunities to pound the rock.

5. Ravens’ Passing Game: Zay Flowers & Receiving Corps Outlook

• Zay Flowers: First-ever Ravens WR to make the Pro Bowl (cause for local celebration).
• Depth may limit his statistical leap—Ravens still run-first, and there are many “mouths to feed”: Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, Rashod Bateman (“deep threat”), and DeAndre Hopkins.

“I don't see a lot of volume out of [Hopkins]. I see him more being a guy Lamar could trust in those moments… third downs… in the red zone he can help move the chains.” — Sarah Ellison [23:45]

6. Defensive Strengths: Kyle Hamilton, Malachi Starks, & Versatility

• Kyle Hamilton: Praised as a foundational, all-around defender justifying his “highest-paid safety” contract.
• “He is everywhere… strong safety, free safety, nickel cornerback, linebacker… And if Kyle Hamilton wasn't so versatile, I don't know that they would have been able to do that.” — Sarah Ellison [26:54]
• New addition Malachi Starks (rookie) is ready to start due to injury; lauded for elite football IQ and versatility.

Notable Quotes:

“Before his rookie contract is up, [Kyle Hamilton] is already a two-time All-Pro…” — Sarah Ellison [25:51]
“He just studies, studies, studies the film… as close to a coach as Ray Lewis… in a rookie.” — Sarah Ellison, on Malachi Starks [29:14]

7. Ravens’ Cornerbacks & Pass Rush

• Jair Alexander unlikely to play in Week 1 (“I’m doubtful that he’s going to play” — [31:21]), but Chidobe Awuzie and rookie Nate Wiggins offer depth.
• Rookie edge rusher Mike Green (“could have been a 1st-rounder”) has impressed, especially with his “insane” flexibility and pass-rush repertoire.

“Almost every day you hear about Mike Green. Every day… when he puts on the pads, that's when he comes becomes his best.” — Sarah Ellison [32:41]

8. Linebackers & Special Teams

• Jay Higgins (UDFA) may not play much defense yet, but could be a special teams contributor.
• Kicker Tyler Loop, the first Ravens kicker ever drafted, replaces Justin Tucker—a move the fanbase is “at peace” with, given Loop’s preseason (including a 61-yarder).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Being Grateful for the QB Duel:

  “If you're like a true sports fan… it's just like, man, I'm watching two of the greats who are both future Hall of Famers, right?” — Sarah Ellison [09:50]

• Regarding Fan Pressure on Coaches:

  “Locally, there's a lot of heat on [Harbaugh]… that's the nature of fanbases… there's a pretty significant chunk of fans that have been over John Harbaugh for a couple years now.” — Sarah Ellison [40:34]
  “I think it would have to take something massive and easily blamed on John for… Buscotti to say, ‘I’m done.’” — Sarah Ellison [41:34]

Key Timestamps

• 01:46 — Ravens’ playoff frustration and the motivation facing Buffalo
• 04:09 — Chiefs’ dominance and where Bills/Ravens rivalry fits
• 09:50 — The evolution and perception of Lamar Jackson
• 14:33 — Derrick Henry’s fit and what makes him unique
• 18:09 — Keaton Mitchell’s return and how his speed could change dynamics
• 23:45 — The Ravens’ passing targets hierarchy and Hopkins’ role
• 25:51 — Kyle Hamilton’s contract and versatile impact on Ravens’ D
• 29:14 — Malachi Starks’ readiness and film study prowess
• 32:41 — Rookie Mike Green’s emergence as a pass rusher
• 37:18 — Kicker Tyler Loop and the special teams transition
• 40:34 — Pressure on coaches: Harbaugh vs. McDermott debate
• 43:25 — Ravens’ gameplan to beat Buffalo: turnovers, run game, physicality

Game Plan to Beat Buffalo (Ravens’ Perspective)

“They really need to win the turnover battle… The defense is chomping at the bit to get one or more turnovers… I think the Ravens are going to try to control the ball on offense… Why wouldn’t you with Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson?” — Sarah Ellison [43:25]

• Win the turnover battle (offensive ball security, defensive aggression)
• Control time of possession—establish run (Henry, Lamar, Keaton Mitchell)
• Stay physical on both lines
• Use defensive athleticism and new personnel to pressure Allen and challenge Buffalo’s evolving offense

Where to Follow

• Sarah Ellison:
  • Ravens Vault Podcast (daily show at noon on YouTube)
  • Twitter/X: @sgellison

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