BALTIMORE (AP) -- There's no mystery why the Baltimore Ravens are already at a pivotal point in their season following two straight losses.

Brian Billick has asked former third-stringer Tony Banks to revive an offense that under Stoney Case failed to produce a touchdown over seven straight quarters. Banks will become Baltimore's third starting quarterback in seven games Sunday when the Ravens (2-4) face the Buffalo Bills.

Billick has already gone through his depth chart at the position. Scott Mitchell, and then Case, failed to produce nearly enough support for the fifth-ranked defense in the NFL.

"It's a shame we're not better on offense, because this defense is the best with which I've been associated," Billick said.

The Bills (4-3) have also lost two straight, yet their flaws are not nearly as obvious. Following an inexplicable home defeat against Oakland, Buffalo fell behind 23-3 at halftime last week in Seattle and lost 26-16.

"I can't really put my finger on the problem, except for the fact we haven't been able to run the ball," Bills quarterback Doug Flutie said. "I feel like the effort is there, but something's not clicking right now."

Flutie was the Bills' leading rusher against Seattle, a sure sign that Buffalo's running game is hurting. But the offense, hampered by injuries to wide receiver Eric Moulds and running back Thurman Thomas, isn't the only reason Buffalo is stuck in its longest losing streak since September 1998.

"We didn't play well against the pass last week, and the week before we didn't play well against the run," coach Wade Phillips said. "I can't explain it. But these are the same people who opened the season 4-1. I'm sure we'll bounce back."

After a season-opening loss at Indianapolis, the Bills reeled off four straight wins to gain a share of the AFC East lead. They're in fourth place now, and a loss Sunday might leave them no choice but to change their focus to a wild-card spot.

Flutie acknowledged Buffalo is feeling a sense of urgency, but added, "We're not in bad shape. We've beaten Miami in Miami. No one is pressing the panic button yet."

Billick has pressed virtually every button available to inject some life into his sputtering offense. Errict Rhett has long since replaced opening-day running back Priest Holmes, and Banks is the last available option at quarterback.

The Ravens, who have yet to have a winning season, hoped this year would be different after defeating Atlanta on the road to improve to 2-2. But two straight ugly losses -- a 14-11 drubbing in Tennessee and last week's 35-8 debacle against the Kansas City Chiefs -- forced Billick to turn to Banks.

Banks, who led the St. Louis Rams to a 34-33 win in Buffalo last year, has been asked to add a bit of versatility to the Baltimore attack. Tennessee and Kansas City both dared Case to pass, and he just couldn't do it.

Banks spent five straight games on the bench before leading the Ravens to their lone touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Chiefs. He expects to make up for lost time against Buffalo.

"I have a lot of confidence in my ability to throw the ball outside to my receivers," Banks said. "Given that Buffalo will be trying to stop the run, that's something we have to take advantage of."

The Ravens have also proven adept at stopping the run. Antowain Smith is averaging only 3.8 yards per carry, so Flutie will likely be looking to pass to rookie Peerless Price, who had five catches for 105 yards and a score against the Seahawks playing in place of the injured Moulds (hamstring).

BUFFALO Season schedule and results

BALTIMORE Season schedule and results

September 12 @Indianapolis L 14-31 September 19 NY Jets W 17-3 September 26 Philadelphia W 26-0 October 4 @Miami W 23-18 October 10 Pittsburgh W 24-21 October 17 Oakland L 14-20 October 24 @Seattle L 16-26 October 31 @Baltimore 1:00pm ET November 7 @Washington 1:00pm ET November 14 Miami 1:00pm ET November 21 @NY Jets 1:00pm ET November 28 New England 1:00pm ET December 12 NY Giants 1:00pm ET December 19 @Arizona 8:20pm ET December 26 @New England 1:00pm ET January 2 Indianapolis 1:00pm ET

September 12 @St. Louis L 10-27 September 19 Pittsburgh L 20-23 September 26 Cleveland W 17-10 October 3 @Atlanta W 19-13 October 10 @Tennessee L 11-14 October 21 Kansas City L 8-35 October 31 Buffalo 1:00pm ET November 7 @Cleveland 1:00pm ET November 14 @Jacksonville 4:05pm ET November 21 @Cincinnati 4:05pm ET November 28 Jacksonville 1:00pm ET December 5 Tennessee 1:00pm ET December 12 @Pittsburgh 1:00pm ET December 19 New Orleans 1:00pm ET December 26 Cincinnati 1:00pm ET January 2 @New England 1:00pm ET

Records source: STATS, Inc.

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