Ravens vs. Bills 2013, Week 4: Joe Flacco throws 5 interceptions in Baltimore loss

Zachary Beard of Baltimore Beatdown believes this game will serve wake-up call of sorts for the struggling offense of the Ravens:

Matt Warren of Buffalo Rumblings was more impressed by the defense than offense in Sunday’s win:

So much for all that elite talk.

The five interceptions were a career high for Flacco, and he is now only five interceptions away from matching his single-season career high.

The Ravens opened as three-point favorites, but couldn’t get the win, much less cover the spread.

• Bois: Let’s bring Brian Hoyer down a peg | Breaking Madden

There’s been a lot of talk about the read option being the big trend n the NFL. The thing is, it only works if you... like... hold onto the ball, and stuff.

Luckily, Stevie Johnson jumped on it quickly and there wasn’t a turnover. But we don’t suggest the Bills run any trick plays that might call on Manuel to catch the ball. Or recommend they have him juggle stuff.

Jackson took himself out of the game late in the third quarter, holding his left leg as he came to the sideline, according to Mike Rodak.

Jackson had 68 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries to lead a Bills rushing attack that has gone for 177 yards through three quarters against the Ravens. Spiller has been less efficient, going for 65 yards on 21 carries.

Flacco has struggled with his accuracy, hitting just 17 of first 31 pass attempts and repeatedly gifting the ball to an opportunistic Bills defense.

• NFL Week 4 scores, updates and GIFs | SB Nation Live

• NFL Week 4 scores, updates and GIFs | SB Nation Live

• Watch Gene Simmons sing the National Anthem in London

Sunday’s game will be the just the third meeting between the teams since 2007. The teams have split their last six contests, dating back to 1995.

All three of the Bills’ games this season have come down to the final possession. Buffalo lost on a last-second field goal against New England in Week 1 before winning on a touchdown pass with two seconds to play against Carolina in Week 2. It had a few chances to tie the game against the Jets, but was unable to mount a drive. The game ended with EJ Manuel failing to spike a ball in time for one last play.

1 p.m. ET Sunday

Ralph Wilson Stadium, Buffalo, N.Y.

Byrd has missed the entire offseason, preseason and the first three regular season games with the injury. Per Rapoport, the veteran wants to fully recover before taking the field for Bills, who placed the franchise tender on him this summer. He was named to the Pro Bowl and received All-Pro recognition for his work last season and held out for months in an attempt to force a trade or get a long-term deal from the Bills.

In Byrd’s place for the fourth-consecutive game would be third-year safety Da’Norris Searcy. In three starts this season, Searcy has 21 total tackles, one sack and a fumble recovery.

Out

Questionable

For more betting details on this matchup, head over to Oddsshark.

• Nate Burleson breaks arm saving a falling pizza