Buffalo Bills Edge Out Baltimore Ravens in Thrilling Divisional Round Clash
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — In a game that had fans on the edge of their seats, Josh Allen once again proved why he’s one of the most exciting quarterbacks in the NFL. As the Buffalo Bills quarterback galloped into the back of the end zone, he looked into the stands and flexed, a gesture that perfectly encapsulated the energy and determination he brought to the field.
The Buffalo Bills managed to hold off a late rally by the Baltimore Ravens, securing a nail-biting 27-25 victory in the divisional round on Sunday. The win propels the Bills into the AFC Championship Game, marking the second conference title game appearance of Allen’s career and ending a streak of three consecutive divisional round losses.
While Allen’s passing stats weren’t eye-popping—completing 16 of 22 passes for 127 yards—his leadership on the field was undeniable. He orchestrated the offense to rushing touchdowns on three of four first-half drives and added eight carries for 22 yards himself. The Bills’ ground game was further bolstered by running back James Cook, who racked up 67 yards on 17 carries. Kicker Tyler Bass also contributed significantly, making two field goals, including a crucial 51-yarder.
Buffalo’s victory was not just a testament to their offensive prowess but also their defensive resilience. A pivotal moment came when linebacker Terrel Bernard forced and recovered a fumble from Ravens’ tight end Mark Andrews in the fourth quarter. This play was crucial in maintaining the Bills’ lead and was part of a day where the defense forced three takeaways against a Ravens offense that had only 11 turnovers in the regular season.
Despite the win, the Bills’ defense showed a troubling trend on third downs, allowing the Ravens to convert 7 of 10 attempts. This issue was highlighted by a 17-yard gain by Derrick Henry on a third-and-1 in the third quarter, which helped Baltimore mount a second-half comeback.
Looking ahead, the Bills are set for another postseason showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs. This will be the second AFC Championship Game meeting between Allen and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, with the Chiefs having won the previous three playoff encounters.
Baltimore Ravens (13-6)
For the Ravens, the game was a bitter pill to swallow, especially for quarterback Lamar Jackson. Despite delivering a performance that was unlike any of his this season, it was reminiscent of his past playoff struggles. Jackson committed two turnovers, marking the first time this season he had multiple turnovers in a game, continuing a postseason trend.
Jackson’s playoff woes were evident as this was the fourth playoff game where he threw an interception and lost a fumble, with the Ravens going 0-4 in those games. He did, however, put Baltimore in a position to tie the game with a 24-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Likely with 1:33 left. Unfortunately, Andrews’ drop on the 2-point conversion attempt sealed the Ravens’ fate.
The Ravens’ struggles on 2-point conversions were a troubling trend, as they finished the season 1-of-5 on such attempts. Andrews’ drop was the second failed 2-point conversion in this game alone.
Another pivotal moment for the Ravens was Jackson’s fumble in the second quarter. With the score tied at 7, the Ravens were poised to take the lead, but Jackson’s mistake led to a turnover that the Bills capitalized on, scoring a touchdown four plays later.
In summary, the game was characterized by uncharacteristic mistakes from the Ravens, who set a team record in 2024 for the fewest turnovers in a season. Yet, they turned the ball over three times against the Bills, with Andrews’ fumble being only the second of his seven-year career.
- Next game: at Chiefs (6:30 p.m. ET, CBS, Sunday)
Originally Written by: Alaina Getzenberg,Jamison Hensley
