Derrick Henry's 87-Yard TD Pushes Ravens Past Undefeated Bills in Prime Time Showdown
The Baltimore Ravens and the unbeaten Buffalo Bills met in a thrilling prime-time game on Sunday night to cap off the day in a lively and electrifying atmosphere at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD. The Bills, riding high into Week Four after outscoring their previous three opponents 112-48, would take on the Ravens, led by quarterback Lamar Jackson, in their first real test of the season. After starting the season 0-2 and emerging victorious from a close triumph against the Dallas Cowboys on the road in Week Three, the Ravens were hoping to string together four full quarters after nearly squandering a 22-point lead last week in Dallas. Following his first standout performance of the season against the Cowboys, in which he ran for 151 yards and two touchdowns, Ravens' veteran running back Derrick Henry brought his ground-and-pound running style into Week Four against the Bills. With Henry putting on his second straight spectacular performance, the Ravens quickly established their dominance over the Bills' defense, winning on Sunday Night Football 35-10, to deliver the Bills their first loss of the year and improve their record to 2-2.
The Ravens’ offense quickly put points on the board after forcing the Bills to punt on their opening drive of the game. With the help of two crucial blocks from Patrick Ricard and Mark Andrews, Henry broke through on the Ravens' opening play, for a franchise-best 87-yard touchdown run that gave the Ravens an early 7-0 lead. The second drive of the game saw some success for the Bills, but they would stall in Ravens’ territory and had to settle for a 50-yard field goal from kicker Tyler Bass, cutting the Ravens' lead to 7-3 late in the first quarter. On their second drive of the game, the Ravens would again find success just five seconds into the second quarter, with Jackson and Henry connecting for a five-yard walk-in touchdown, increasing the Ravens' lead to 14-3.
The Ravens' offense would make the Bills pay again after the Bills' next possession resulted in a three-and-out. On their third consecutive drive to begin the game, running back Justice Hill was found by Jackson for a wheel-route 19-yard touchdown reception to increase the Ravens' lead to 21-3 with seven minutes remaining in the first half. The Bills’ defense forced a crucial three-and-out to start the second half, giving quarterback Josh Allen and the offense an opportunity to get themselves back in the game. Following a 52-yard deep pass to wide receiver Khalil Shakir, to get to the Ravens’ three-yard line, the Bills would halt the Ravens’ momentum in the first half, with running back Ty Johnson finding the end zone for a three-yard touchdown run, to cut the Ravens’ lead to 21-10.
The Bills’ offense looked to be closing the gap to one score after forcing the Ravens to punt twice in a row to begin the second half. However, the Ravens' defense forced a pivotal turnover when linebacker Kyle Van Noy sacked Allen near midfield resulting in a fumble that was recovered by Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton. With three minutes remaining in the third quarter, the Ravens’ offense capitalized on a crucial turnover, scoring their fourth touchdown of the game, a nine-yard scramble by Jackson, to increase their lead to 28-10. After Bills kicker Tyler Bass missed a 48-yard field goal on the following drive, the Ravens' offense began to put the game out of reach. With 11 minutes remaining, fullback Patrick Ricard recovered a fumble by Henry at the goal line and fell on the football in the end zone to increase the Ravens' lead to 35-10. After the game was out of reach for Buffalo, Bills head coach Sean McDermott decided to replace Allen with backup quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, and the Ravens would go on to win handily and cruise to victory.
