James Cook III turned Buffalo’s last game into a fourth-quarter sprint, running through the Raiders and catching a long pass before scoring the go-ahead touchdown. Now Cook and the 5-1 Bills return to Highmark Stadium on Sunday, where a different kind of challenge waits. The Ravens arrive at 4-3 after two straight losses, carrying the power of Derrick Henry and the big-play speed of Zay Flowers into a game that could shake up the AFC race.

Buffalo has scored nearly 33 points per game, but its recent wins have been close. The Bills edged the Rams in overtime, then slipped past Las Vegas by three points. That makes every drive important. Josh Allen gives Buffalo a quarterback who can fire deep passes, escape pressure, or charge ahead himself. He already has eight rushing touchdowns, showing how hard he is to stop near the goal line.

Cook is the runner who can help Buffalo control the game before Allen has to make a last-minute rescue. In six games, Cook has rushed for 627 yards and six touchdowns. His quick cuts turn small openings into long runs, and his 95 rushing yards plus 58 receiving yards last week showed that he can hurt a defense in more than one way. Dalton Kincaid is another key piece across the middle, although he is listed as questionable with a chest injury. Wide receiver DJ Moore is also questionable, so Buffalo may need other pass catchers to step forward.

The Ravens have their own running giant in Henry. He has seven rushing touchdowns already, and he runs with the force of a rolling truck. Baltimore needs him to find room after Cincinnati held him to 45 yards last week. That task is especially important because Buffalo’s defense has allowed plenty of yards and points this season. The Bills have shown they can win exciting shootouts, but they would rather keep Henry from turning this game into a long, physical contest.

Lamar Jackson could make Baltimore even harder to contain. He is listed as questionable with an ankle injury, yet he practiced fully Wednesday. When Jackson plays, defenses must watch his strong arm and his fast feet at the same time. Flowers gives him a speedy target who can flip the field on one catch. Flowers had eight catches for 137 yards against Cincinnati, even as Baltimore’s offense struggled to finish drives near the end zone.

Baltimore’s defense has allowed fewer yards than Buffalo’s, but injuries could loom large. Linebacker Roquan Smith and safety Kyle Hamilton did not practice Wednesday, while several Ravens linemen are also questionable. If those absences weaken the middle, Cook and Allen could attack it all afternoon.

This game is a collision of two teams with playoff-sized goals. Baltimore wants to stop its slide and show last season’s setback is fading. Buffalo wants to turn a fast start into a path toward its first Super Bowl title. The Bills have been more consistent, and their home crowd should help them survive another tight battle. Prediction: Buffalo wins.

James Cook III Brings Buffalo’s Fast Start Home Against Baltimore