On Sunday, the Buffalo Bills defeated the Baltimore Ravens 27-25, helped by a missed two-point conversion, in the final game of the weekend's divisional round.
Ravens tight end Mark Andrews made the game-winning two-point try with 1:33 left, but was unable to pull in a pass from quarterback Lamar Jackson. Buffalo recovered the ensuing onside kick, securing the victory.
2 point conversion is no good 😳
📺: #BALvsBUF on CBS
📱: Streaming @NFLPlus and Paramount+ pic.twitter.com/s1DAo0tdm1— NFL (@NFL) January 20, 2025
The win sends Buffalo to its second AFC Championship Game appearance in five seasons and sets up a matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs next weekend, who is running back quarterback Josh Allen. and coach Sean McDermott are archrivals who have yet to win in the playoffs.
Allen defeated fellow MVP candidate Jackson in Baltimore and improved to 7-5 in the postseason. Allen completed 16 of 22 pass attempts for 127 yards while rushing for two scores (his lowest passing yards of the season in games he attempted). Rookie running back Ray Davis added a rushing touchdown, and the Bills totaled 147 yards on the ground with the league's top-ranked rushing defense (80.1 yards per game allowed in the regular season).
The Bills forced three turnovers, one interception and two fumbles. Buffalo's secondary took a hit in the second quarter when Taylor Rapp was taken to the locker room with a hip injury and did not return.
The Bills will play the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game next Sunday (6:30 p.m. ET on CBS). In three of the past four seasons, Kansas City eliminated Buffalo from the playoffs in the 2020 AFC Championship Game and in the 2021 and 2023 AFC Divisional Rounds. During the 2024 regular season, Buffalo became the only team to defeat the Chiefs in Week 11 with Patrick Mahomes starting at quarterback and winning 30-21 at home.
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Defense that captures opportunities brings results.
In a game headlined by an MVP candidate quarterback, Buffalo's defense stole the show with some key stops and takeaways.
Despite the disastrous result, Buffalo's defense crushed Jackson and Derrick Henry for most of the night. Baltimore's most effective weapon through the third quarter was backup tailback Justice Hill, who finished with six carries for 50 yards. Jackson intercepted Rupp in the first quarter, but fumbled in the second while being sacked by safety Damar Hamlin. Von Miller scooped up the loose ball and ran 39 yards to the Ravens' own 24-yard line. The Bills scored a TD four plays later.
Snap caused chaos, bill was recovered 😮
📺: #BALvsBUF on CBS
📱: Streaming @NFLPlus and Paramount+ pic.twitter.com/gZTp8XSn3T— NFL (@NFL) January 20, 2025
Then, with the Ravens trailing by five points, Bills linebacker Terrell Bernard made a pivotal play after a 16-yard gain, peanut punching the ball from Andrews and recovering a fumble. It was Andrews' first lost fumble since 2019. Buffalo converted that takeaway into a field goal for an eight-point lead with 3:29 left.
Terrell Bernard forces it.
Terrell Bernard retrieves it.@Buffalo Bills ball!📺: #BALvsBUF on CBS
📱: Streaming @NFLPlus and Paramount+ pic.twitter.com/mAjj3dp0Ms— NFL (@NFL) January 20, 2025
Linebacker Matt Milano made three hits on the quarterback, ambushed receiver Rashod Bateman on a third-down play for a field goal, and late in the third quarter, Jackson's 2-point conversion attempt led to He deflected a pass and closed out Isiah Likely. Edge rushers Greg Rousseau and AJ Epenesa had three tackles behind the line of scrimmage. — Tim Graham, Bills Senior Writer
Buffalo's ground game is booming
The Bills offense certainly didn't have its best day, but when the opportunistic Bills defense gave them a chance, they stuck to their part of the deal. The Bills focused on the run game, and surprisingly they were right considering how solid the Ravens defense has been against the run all season. The Bills found success early in the game with their trio of James Cook, Ty Johnson, and Davis. The Ravens put up a good fight to start the second half, but the Bills hung on until the fourth quarter, eventually making a key field goal from Tyler Bass to take an eight-point lead.
The Bills have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL this year, and against this Ravens defense they have a lot of confidence in them, taking the game into their hands and responding well. I did. And to put an exclamation point on this day, Johnson gained 17 yards and went down to decide the game, sending the Bills to the AFC Championship Game for the first time since the 2020 season. — Joe Buscaglia, Bills Beat Writer
A date with the Chiefs awaits.
The Bills had some nervous moments late in the game, but ultimately earned their ticket to the AFC Championship Game for the first time since the 2020 season. The Bills finished the year with a perfect record at home, giving them a chance to play in the Super Bowl for the first time since the early 1990s. And of course they are, so the Bills will move on to face the Chiefs, who have stymied them many times in the playoffs.
The last time the Bills appeared in the AFC Championship Game, the Chiefs defeated them at Arrowhead Stadium. The Bills are a much different team now and have definitely learned their lessons in the playoffs and beyond. Now they have a chance to defeat the final boss at the end of the video game and finally advance further than the Chiefs into the playoff round for the first time since McDermott became head coach. — Buscaglia
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(Photo: Timothy T. Ludwig/Getty Images)
