The Buffalo Bills fell to the Baltimore Ravens in a matchup of two potential playoff-bound teams. The Ravens knocked off the Bills 24-17 and showed why Baltimore currently holds the top spot in the AFC.
The game showcased two outstanding defenses, as both teams stunted the progress of their opponents all afternoon. Bills quarterback Josh Allen could muster only 39 yards through the air in the first half on 8-of-17 passing, while Lamar Jackson completed only 5-of-10 passes for 30 yards. Allen was sacked four times in the first half, while Jackson threw his first interception since Week 5.
The Bills may be on the cups of the playoffs. However, the Ravens revealed that they should be considered among the best in the league. The Bills took a team that is a tier above them in the standings to the brink, but it was not enough in the end.
Josh Allen was under duress all afternoon. Baltimore sacked the quarterback six times and racked up 12 quarterback hits. The Ravens pass rush was superior to anything the Bills have faced this year, but this was a disappointing performance by the group in the trenches. Between the wind and the swarming attack of the Ravens’ defense, Allen struggled to accurately find his receivers all afternoon.
The first half showed a glimmer of promise for the Bills, as they went into the break down only four points. Buffalo only allowed a Justin Tucker field goal int he first half.
The Ravens defense helped out their offense, as a strip-sack by the Ravens’ Matt Judon gave Lamar Jackson possession on the Bills 24-yard-line. The Bills defense hung strong, but an impromptu Lamar Jackson toss to Nick Boyle gave Baltimore a 10-point lead.
Buffalo could only answer with two Stephen Hauschka field goals to pull the game within four points.
The second half, though, did not start well for the Bills. Lamar Jackson found Hayden Hurst free in the Bills secondary. A blown coverage gave the Ravens tight end space to rumble for a 61-yard score.
The Bills defense could delay the inevitable for so long. Baltimore would later tack on seven more points on an impressive nine-play 51-yard drive culminating with a four-yard touchdown pass from Jackson to Willie Snead.
Buffalo, however, responded with a great drive of their own, ending with their first touchdown of the afternoon. Buffalo possessed the ball for the seven-play, 78-yard drive. Cole Beasley scored on a short three-yard touchdown pass from Allen. In a quizzical move by Bills head coach Sean McDermott, the team attempted a two-point conversion at this point. Once again, Allen looked to Beasley once again, and the successful try brought the Bills back within seven points.
Buffalo’s defense held strong, forcing a three-and-out and giving the Bills’ offense the ball with plenty of time to try and tie the game. Buffalo was aided by multiple Ravens’ penalties. The Bills could only get to the Ravens’ 16-yard-line, and the final offensive play reflected the team’s performance all game; Allen’s pass to John Brown went off the receiver’s hands, possibly with some help from Baltimore cornerback Marcus Peters, and the incompletion ultimately ended the Bills attempt to tie the game.
The theme: it was all just out of reach for Buffalo today.
Allen ended the day 17-of-39 for 146 passing yards and a touchdown pass. However, he received the brunt of several big hits, as Buffalo’s offensive line provided little resistance against the Ravens’ blitzes. The Bills failed to make adjustments to pass protect Allen. It’s easy to criticize several of his throws, as Allen was off-target more so than in recent weeks. But, you may have to believe that Allen struggled to set his feet and read plays properly when every play he was being hit from all directions.
Allen was the recipient of two blind-side hits, one of which forced a lost fumble. He saved the Bills on several occasions, as Baltimore’s defense was in Buffalo’s backfield early and often.
The Bills also tried to stretch the field on several plays. The Bills attempted several deep balls throughout the afternoon. Unfortunately for Allen and his receivers, they were off target.
There will be much discussion on how the Bills can rebound from this performance on offense. Outside of their touchdown drive, it was tough sledding for the Bills.
Devin Singletary was used early and often in the game, helping establish the ground game for the Bills. Once again, the rookie showed his escapability, rushing 17 times for 89 yards. He also led Buffalo with six receptions.
While the Bills defense gave up 24 points, they were impressive in collapsing and containing Jackson on the afternoon. The Ravens finished nearly 100 yards below their season average, totaling an unspectacular 118 yards on the ground. Jackson, while the 1,000-yard mark for rushing this year, only ran for 40 yards on 11 carries against Buffalo’s defense. He completed 16-of-25 passes for 145 yards.
Tremaine Edmunds, middle linebacker for the Bills, picked off Jackson, which was the Louisville product’s first interception thrown since Week 5.
Jordan Poyer led the way with 10 tackles. The entire unit, while they did not put up massive numbers, was an integral part of containing Jackson.
Buffalo will be in the national spotlight next Sunday when they face the Steelers in Pittsburgh. The game, which has been flexed to a night game, will feature two teams who are still deep into the playoff race.
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