Bills Survive Ravens Last-Gasp Comeback to Reach AFC Title Game
The Ravens and Bills squared off at Highmark Stadium on Sunday night, with a trip to the AFC Championship Game on the line next Sunday against the defending Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs. However, before that could happen, both teams entered this highly anticipated matchup with much at stake and plenty to prove, as their seasons were on the line. On top of that, it was a rematch from earlier in the season back in Week Four, between the top two candidates for the NFL MVP Award this season, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and Bills quarterback Josh Allen. For the Ravens and head coach John Harbaugh, they were looking to advance to their second straight AFC Championship Game, while Harbaugh aimed to continue his impressive road playoff record, having led Baltimore to eight postseason road wins, the most by any head coach in NFL history. Meanwhile, the Bills were looking to improve upon their Divisional Round record with Allen at quarterback, entering the matchup with a 1-4 record in this round. Despite a late comeback attempt by Jackson and the Ravens' offense, following self-inflicted wounds earlier in the game, the Bills held strong to fend off a potential collapse, as Allen and the Bills came away with a thrilling 27-25 victory to keep their season alive.
The Ravens began with possession to start the game, and Baltimore marched right down the field to silence the loud Bills crowd as Jackson found a wide-open Rashod Bateman in the end zone for a 16-yard touchdown reception, giving the Ravens an early 7-0 lead. However, the Bills quickly responded on their opening drive, capping it off with a one-yard touchdown run by running back Ray Davis to even the score at 7-7 with four minutes left in the first quarter. On the Ravens' ensuing possession, the first turnover of the game occurred when Jackson was intercepted by safety Taylor Rapp, with Buffalo taking over near midfield. Fortunately for Baltimore, the Ravens defense held strong, forcing the Bills to punt and come away with no points off the turnover.
To begin the second quarter, the Ravens appeared to be driving, getting within the Bills' 30-yard line. However, after an errant snap by center Tyler Linderbaum forced Jackson to escape the pocket, he fumbled the ball, and Bills veteran linebacker Von Miller recovered and returned it deep into Ravens territory. The Bills were quick to capitalize on Baltimore’s second turnover, as Allen ran it into the end zone for a one-yard touchdown, giving Buffalo a 14-7 lead with eight minutes left in the half. The Ravens got right back into Bills' territory on their next drive, reaching the two-yard line following a deep pass to Bateman, but had to settle for a 26-yard field goal by Justin Tucker, trimming the Bills' lead to 14-10 with three minutes left. Before halftime, the Bills had one more chance to add points on the board, and they did just that as Allen recorded his second rushing touchdown of the game, extending Buffalo's lead to 21-10 heading into the locker room.
The Bills began the second half with possession, looking to deliver an early knockout blow. However, the Ravens' defense came up with a big stop, forcing a three-and-out to keep Baltimore's comeback hopes alive. On their first possession of the half, the Ravens' offense got into Bills' territory once again but settled for a 47-yard field goal by Tucker, making it a one-possession game and cutting Buffalo's lead to 21-13. Following another forced punt by the Ravens' defense, the offense started to get their explosive run game going, led by Derrick Henry, as Baltimore trimmed the Bills' lead to 21-19 with a minute remaining in the third quarter on a five-yard touchdown run by Henry but failed to tie the game on the two-point conversion attempt.
To begin the fourth quarter, the Bills’ offense would start to refind its rhythm, getting into Baltimore territory, however, the Ravens’ defense would come up with another important stop, limiting the Bills to a 51-yard field goal by Tyler Bass, to extend their lead to 24-19, with 12 minutes left. The Ravens started their next drive looking to take their first lead since the first quarter. However, after a completed pass to tight end Mark Andrews, Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard forced the ball out of Andrews' hands, causing a fumble, the Ravens' third turnover of the game, giving Buffalo the ball back near midfield. The Bills drove down to the Ravens' five-yard line, looking to finish off the game. However, they had to settle for a 21-yard field goal by Bass, keeping it a one-score game at 27-19 with three minutes left. With their season on the line, the Ravens needed a touchdown plus a two-point conversion to even the score and possibly force overtime. After scoring on a 24-yard touchdown reception by tight end Isaiah Likely, the Ravens failed once again on the two-point attempt, as Andrews was wide open in the front corner of the end zone but dropped the pass, sealing the Ravens' fate as the Bills went on to win 27-25 and set up an AFC Championship Game matchup with Kansas City next weekend.
