The Buffalo Bills continue their 2026 NFL season with a matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at home at 1 p.m. at Highmark Stadium. The Bills defense will play its part, as always.

While game plans, coaching, and strategy will play a role, sometimes a big emphasis will sit with some individual players. In terms of the Bills defense, who could those be?

Here are Bills Wire's three potential X-factors on the Bills (5-1) offense against the Ravens (4-3) in Week 8:

LB Terrell Bernard

There is going to be a lot on Bernard's plate against the Ravens. While a lot of eyes will be on quarterback Lamar Jackson who is set to start but Ravens running back Derrick Henry has had a lot of good games against the Bills as well.

It won't be all on Bernard to stop these two, but as the "quarterback" of the defense, he will be responsible for a lot of it.

DT Deone Walker

Walker has been a force in the middle of the Bills' defensive line and Vorhees has struggled with foot injuries. Their grades at Pro Football Focus show a stark difference as Walker ranks as the fifth-best defensive tackle in the NFL with an 80.4 mark and Vorhees sits at a lowly 47.2.

If Walker has a big game, he could shut down a lot of what the Ravens want to do.

S Damar Hamlin

Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers does a lot of work for his team, leading Baltimore in receiving by more than 300 yards. Hamlin is set to start for the suspended CJ Gardner-Johnson and one could anticipate the Ravens offense targeting Flowers deep down the field on whatever side Hamlin is lined up on.