Baltimore, Md. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Bills fell 35-10 to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night, dropping to 3-1 on the 2024 season.
Not much went right for Buffalo. In fact, a lot went wrong for the Bills in the loss.
Here are my Arrows Up and Down:
ARROW DOWN:
The first defensive play
The first Ravens offensive play of the game was a sign of things to come when Derrick Henry took an off-tackle run, and bursted 87 yards for a touchdown.
He was untouched the entire way, and it set the tone for the rest of the night.
Coaching/Sean McDermott
The Bills were out-schemed on both sides of the ball, and weren’t ready for a lot of things the Ravens threw at them.
Joe Brady
The Bills offensive coordinator didn’t do a good enough job of dialing up the right calls, especially in the first half when the Bills had to try and sustain a drive to keep their defense off the field.
The defense
The unit overall just wasn’t good enough all night long. The Ravens had a better game plan, the Bills didn’t execute, and they just couldn’t get off the mat to make anything happen.
WR - Mack Hollins
Twice Hollins had a Josh Allen pass thrown behind him (which could also be the fault of the quarterback), but Hollins also did not do well enough as a blocker in the run game.
Baylon Spector and Dorian Williams
Through the first three games, both Spector and Williams did a really nice job filling in for Terrel Bernard and Matt Milano, respectively. However, the Ravens attacked the young linebackers through the air, and confused them on the ground.
Spector said the first play was poor communication on his part, and Williams later got beaten badly for a touchdown pass.
Big plays given up
The Ravens were getting yards in chunks way too easily in this game. They finished with six plays of, at least, 20 yards, and 10 plays of, at least, 15 yards.
Long down conversions
Whether it was third down or long second down situations, the Ravens were still able to convert and get first downs far too often, and far too easily. This included a 3rd-and-11 and 3rd-and-14 in the first half.
Wide receiver separation
Bills receivers struggled to get open all night, especially on the outside.
The trick play
Down 21-10 with 6:30 left in the third quarter, the Bills faced a 2nd-and-7 and turned to a trick play. Curtis Samuel took the direct snap, gave it to Allen, who tried to throw the ball downfield.
However, the Bills quarterback was hit hard and lost a fumble.
It was blown up from the beginning, but shouldn’t have been called in that situation as they were moving well and getting back in the game.
The offensive line/pass protection
For the first time this season, Allen was under duress far too often. The Ravens sacked him three times, and were credited with five quarterback hurries.
The running backs also struggled to protect.
The running game
The Bills ran for just 81 yards on 23 carries, an average of just 3.5 yards a run.
Keon Coleman’s drop
Down 21-3 with the half approaching, Allen hit Coleman with a strike down the sidelines, but the rookie dropped it. That would have set the Bills up with a first down, and a chance to cut the lead before halftime.
They punted two plays later.
Tyler Bass’ miss
The Bills had a chance to cut the lead to two scores on the very first play of the fourth quarter, but Bass missed a 48-yard field goal.
Third down offense
The Bills were 3-for-13 on third downs (23.1%).
Brandon Codrington’s muffed punt
Just after the Bills came up with their second-straight stop to start the second half and were gaining some momentum, Codrington muffed a punt. He fortunately recovered at his own 28-yard line, but it cost field position and almost the ball.
ARROW UP:
Second half start
Down 21-3, the Bills came out after halftime and played much better football, getting an immediate stop on defense and then scoring a touchdown. Buffalo then got another stop defensively before the tide turned again.
Tyler Bass’ make
Bass missed a kick he should have made, but also drilled a 50-yarder, which was nice to see.
Allen-to-Shakir play
Somehow, while being flushed out to his right and just barely before the sideline, Allen was able to heave a perfect strike down field to Khalil Shakir for a 52-yard gain, setting up Buffalo's only touchdown.
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