With help from a failed two-point conversion attempt, the Buffalo Bills defeated the Baltimore Ravens 27-25 in the final divisional game of the weekend on Sunday.
Ravens tight end Mark Andrews made a game-tying two-point attempt with 1:33 left, but was unable to catch a pass from quarterback Lamar Jackson. Buffalo recovered the ensuing onside kick and sealed the win.
Two points conversion is not good😳
📺： #BALvsBUF on cbs
📱: Live broadcast @NFLPlus and Paramount+ pic.twitter.com/s1DAo0tdm1— NFL (@NFL) January 20, 2025
The win puts Buffalo into the AFC Championship Game for the second time in five seasons, setting up a matchup next weekend with the Kansas City Chiefs — quarterback Josh Allen and coach Shaw En McDermott’s nemesis that he has yet to defeat in the postseason.
Allen defeated Baltimore and fellow MVP candidate Jackson to improve to 7-5 in the postseason. Allen rushed for two scores and attempted 16 of 22 passes for 127 yards (his game-low number of passing yards attempted). Rookie running back Ray Davis also added a rushing touchdown, and the Bills totaled 147 yards against the league’s No. 1 rushing defense (80.1 yards allowed per game during the regular season). code).
The Bills forced three turnovers – an interception and two fumbles. Buffalo’s secondary took a hit when Tyler Rapp was sent to the locker room in the second quarter with a hip injury and did not return.
The Bills will face the Chiefs next Sunday in the AFC Championship Game (6:30 p.m. ET, CBS). Kansas City has eliminated Buffalo in the playoffs in three of the past four seasons — in the 2020 AFC Championship Game and the 2021 and 2023 AFC Divisional Rounds. Buffalo is the only team to beat the Chiefs in the 2024 regular season with Patrick Mahomes at quarterback, winning 30-21 at home in Week 11.
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Opportunistic defense pays dividends
In a game led by the MVP’s co-favorite quarterback, Buffalo’s defense stole the show, turning in several key interceptions and takeaways.
Despite the painful ending, Buffalo’s defense held Jackson and Derrick Henry down for most of the night. Baltimore’s most effective weapon in the third quarter was backup back Justice Hill, who rushed six times for 50 yards. Jackson threw an interception against Rupp in the first quarter and fumbled the ball when he was sacked by safety Damar Hamlin in the second quarter. Von Miller caught the ball and ran 39 yards to the Ravens 24-yard line. The Bills scored a touchdown four plays later.
Instant chaos, bill restored 😮
📺： #BALvsBUF on cbs
📱: Live broadcast @NFLPlus and Paramount+ pic.twitter.com/gZTp8XSn3T— NFL (@NFL) January 20, 2025
Then, with the Ravens trailing by five points and trailing, Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard knocked the ball away from Andrews for a 16-yard gain and recovered the fumble, This is a crucial game. It was the first time Andrews had missed a goal since 2019.
Terrell Bernard forced it.
Terrel Bernard restored it.@buffalobills ball!📺： #BALvsBUF on cbs
📱: Live broadcast @NFLPlus and Paramount+ pic.twitter.com/mAjj3dp0Ms— NFL (@NFL) January 20, 2025
Linebacker Matt Milano hit a three-point quarterback hit, ambushed receiver Rashod Bateman, forced a field goal on third down and tied up Jackson late in the third quarter. ‘s pass was deflected toward tight end Isaiah Likely on a two-point conversion attempt. Chargers Greg Rousseau and AJ Epenesa combined for three tackles behind the line of scrimmage. —Tim Graham, senior writer for Bill
Buffalo’s ground game is exciting
The Bills offense certainly didn’t have the best results, but when the opportunistic Bills defense gave them some chances, they delivered on their promise. The Bills focused on the run game, which is surprising considering how solid the Ravens’ defense against the run has been all season. The Bills found early success with the trio of James Cook, Ty Johnson and Davis. The Ravens started the second half better, but the Bills continued that momentum in the fourth quarter, which helped Tyler Bass hit a key field goal to give the team an eight-point lead.
The Bills have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL this year and they put so much trust in the Ravens defense that they took the game into their own hands and responded well. Putting an exclamation point on the day, Johnson added 17 yards and rushed to seal the victory and lead the Bills to the AFC Championship Game for the first time since the 2020 season. –Jab Scalia, Bill Beat Writer
Date with Chiefs awaits
The Bills had some nerves late in the game, but ultimately booked their ticket to the AFC Championship Game for the first time since the 2020 season. The Bills finished the year with a perfect home record and now have a chance to reach the Super Bowl for the first time since the early 1990s. And, of course, because it’s them, the Bills will go on to face a Chiefs team that has stymied them in multiple playoff appearances.
The last time the Bills were in the AFC Championship Game, the Chiefs shut them out at Arrowhead Stadium. The Bills are a much different team now and have certainly learned their lessons in the playoffs and beyond. Now they have a chance to beat the eventual boss at the end of the game and finally advance to the playoff round ahead of the Chiefs for the first time since McDermott became head coach. — Buscaglia
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(Photo: Timothy T. Ludwig/Getty Images)
