Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Despite facing the potential of a tied football game and overtime late in the fourth quarter, the Buffalo Bills held off a late push from the Baltimore Ravens to secure a 27-25 victory in the AFC Divisional Round at Highmark Stadium.
The Ravens received the opening kickoff to get things started, and wasted no time finding the end zone for the game's opening touchdown. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson capped the drive just 4:20 in to the game with a 16-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Rashod Bateman.
This looked to be the start of a "track meet" game, as Buffalo opened up their first offensive drive of the game with a response.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen saved the drive early on with a 3rd-and-8 conversion, where he found wide receiver Khalil Shakir for a 34-yard gain.
Eight plays later, the Bills were in the end zone to tie the game at 7-7. It was rookie running back Ray Davis punching it in up the middle from one-yard out to put the Bills on the scoreboard.
It was the Ravens offense blinking first in this contest, as on the second play of their next drive, Jackson aired a ball intended for Bateman too far, and ended up being picked off by Bills safety Taylor Rapp.
Buffalo was unable to capitalize on the interception, punting the ball back to Baltimore just four plays later.
Just as it looked like Baltimore was driving to the end zone for another touchdown, another mistake by the Ravens quarterback resulted in a turnover.
After Jackson corralled a high snap, he attempted to evade some pressure from safety Damar Hamlin, coming through busted coverage on a blitz. As Jackson tried to escape Hamlin's grasp, he fumbled the football, losing it to Von Miller, who scooped up the loose change and returned the ball to the Ravens' 24-yard line.
From there, Allen and the offense took care of business, getting to the one-yard line before the Bills quarterback punched it in on the ground to the go-ahead touchdown.
Baltimore was able to cut into the deficit on its next drive, managing to get into field goal distance for kicker Justin Tucker. He was able to make it a 14-10 game with 3:43 to go in the half after the Buffalo defense came up with a strong stop in the red zone.
On, what would be, their final possession of the first half, the Bills did a masterful job depleting much of the remaining time to extend their lead before halftime. After a pass interference call helped the Bills move into the Ravens' red zone, Allen did it himself again, this time with a four-yard touchdown run with 16 seconds remaining on the clock.
The Ravens let the clock run down to end the first half, allowing Buffalo to take a 21-10 lead into the locker room.
The Bills could not get rolling on their opening possession of the third quarter, going three-and-out and giving the Ravens a chance to get back into the game.
Buffalo's defense had other plans, though, as they stopped Jackson and the Baltimore offense from finding the end zone. Instead, Tucker drilled a 47-yard kick through the uprights to make it a 21-13 game.
After another Bills punt on their next drive, the Ravens went back to work offensively and made it a two-point game. Ravens running back Derrick Henry made his presence known, as he helped move the offense down the field, and eventually into the end zone for a five-yard touchdown.
The Ravens then attempted a two-point conversion to tie the game, but Bills linebacker Matt Milano tipped Jackson's pass away to keep Buffalo in front, 21-19.
The Bills managed to chew 4:33 off the clock on their next drive, though, couldn't find the end zone to create some breathing room on the scoreboard. Buffalo did put up its first points of the second half, though, as kicker Tyler Bass drilled a 51-yard field goal to put the Bills up 24-19.
With the clock now below the nine-minute mark, the Ravens were able to get past midfield with a pass completed to tight end Mark Andrews. However, Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard was able to punch the ball from Andrews' hands, and then jumped on forced fumble to give the Bills the ball back with a chance to put the game out of hand.
After chewing 5:12 off the clock and going 52 yards down the field, the Bills failed to find a way back into the end zone, but set up a 21-yard field goal from Bass to go back up up by 8 points with 3:29 to go.
Needing a touchdown and a two-point conversion to tie the game, Baltimore made things interesting in the dying moments of the game.
After stretching 88 yards down the field, Jackson was able to find tight end Isaiah Likely for a24-yard touchdown throw with 1:33 to go.
On the ensuing two-point conversion attempt, Jackson rolled out to his right before tossing a pass intended for Andrews at the goal line. However, the veteran tight end dropped the pass, thus keeping Buffalo ahead, 27-25.
The Ravens had one more chance at getting the ball back with an onside kick attempt, but cornerback Rasul Douglas was able to jump on the ball with time dwindling away for Baltimore.
After a first down run from Ty Johnson for 17 yards, it forced the Ravens to burn their final timeout, and allowed the Bills to kneel out the remaining time on the clock to secure the victory.
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SCORING RECAP
First Quarter:
- 7-0 BALTIMORE: Ravens touchdown (10:40) - Lamar Jackson connects with Rashod Bateman for a 16-yard touchdown pass. (Justin Tucker's extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 8 plays, 73 yards, 4:20
- 7-7 TIE: Bills touchdown (4:43) - Ray Davis punches the ball in from one yard out for a touchdown run. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 11 plays, 70 yards, 5:57
Second Quarter:
- 14-7 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (8:52) - Josh Allen keeps the ball for a 1-yard touchdown run. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 4 plays, 24 yards, 2:13
- 14-10 BUFFALO: Bills field goal (3:43) - Justin Tucker's 26-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 9 plays, 57 yards, 5:09
- 21-10 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (0:16) - Josh Allen tucks the ball in for a 4-yard touchdown run. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 9 plays, 70 yards, 3:27
Third Quarter:
- 21-13 BUFFALO: Ravens field goal (9:47) - Justin Tucker's 47-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 9 plays, 35 yards, 4:01
- 21-19 BUFFALO: Ravens touchdown (1:37) - Derrick Henry runs up the middle for a 5-yard touchdown run. (Baltimore's two-point conversion attempt is unsuccessful)
Drive info: 7 plays, 80 yards, 3:44
Fourth Quarter:
- 24-19 BUFFALO: Bills field goal (12:04) - Tyler Bass' 51-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 10 plays, 37 yards, 4:33
- 27-19 BUFFALO: Bills field goal (3:29) - Tyler Bass' 21-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 11 plays, 52 yards, 5:12
- 27-25 BUFFALO: Bills field goal (1:33) - Lamar Jackson fires a strike to Isaiah Likely for a 24-yard touchdown. (Baltimore's two-point conversion attempt is unsuccessful)
Drive info: 8 plays, 88 yards, 1:56
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SKYWORKS EQUIPMENT RENTAL STATS OF THE GAME:
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What's next:
The Bills move on to the AFC Championship Game, where they will take on the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. It is the first time the Bills will play for an AFC title since 2020 when they lost to the Chiefs in Kansas City.
Kickoff for next Sunday's AFC Championship Game is slated for 6:30 p.m.
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