In a game in which the Baltimore Ravens seemingly had the game in hand, the Ravens ultimately fell to the Buffalo Bills in a shootout 41-40.
The game started out as Josh Allen seemed like his MVP self and led the Bills offense down the field, ending the drive with a 15-yard touchdown pass to tight end Dalton Kincaid to put them up 7-0. The Ravens responded to that scoring drive with a long one of their own as it ended with a Tyler Loop 52-yard field goal to make the score 7-3 heading into the second quarter.
The Ravens continued the scoring early in the second quarter with a drive led by Derrick Henry, who capped the drive off with a 30-yard run to the end zone to put them up 10-7. The Ravens scored on their next drive after Derrick Henry again put them in scoring territory after a long run and Lamar Jackson ended the drive with a 10-yard run into the end zone to put the Ravens up 17-7 with 9:47 left in the first half.
On the ensuing Bills position, the team put together a solid drive ending it with a 25-yard field goal by kicker Matt Prater to bring the score to 17-10. The Ravens responded to that field goal by adding on a field goal of their own to bring their lead to 20-10. Josh Allen and the Bills offense had some more in the tank however, as they had some heroics at the end of the half to put them in field goal position and Matt Prater ended the half with a 43 yard field goal to make the score 20-13 at halftime.
The Ravens offense continued to showcase their firepower to start the second half, as Zay Flowers and Lamar Jackson connected multiple times on the opening drive, and Zay Flowers ultimately ended the drive with a 23-yard touchdown catch to extend their lead to 27-13. Josh Allen and the Bills offense kept coming close as they drove down the field and ended the ensuing drive with a 2-yard run by James Cook. After the Bills failed their two-point attempt, the score stood at 27-19. The Ravens offense showed some of their new weapons on their next drive as Lamar Jackson found Deandre Hopkins, who made a spectacular one-handed catch, in the back of the end zone to make the score 34-19 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Bills proved to be dangerous in the fourth quarter as Josh Allen connected with James Cook, who scrambled for 40 yards to put the team on the 2-yard line. Josh Allen capped off the drive with a 2-yard run of his own to make the score 34-25 with 12:51 left in the game. The Ravens tried to put the nail on the coffin on their next possession as Derrick Henry ran 46 yards for a touchdown. However, after Tyler Loop missed extra point the score stood at 40-25.
After the teams each had a possession of their own, the Bills continued the scoring as Josh Allen found Keon Coleman, who caught the ball of a tip, in the back of the end zone to make the score 40-32 with 3:56 left in the game. Derrick Henry gave the ball right back to the Bills on the next drive as he fumbled to give Josh Allen and the Bills offense the ball on their own 40. Josh Allen and the offense capitalized on this mistake as Josh Allen found rookie tight end Jackson Hawes for a long completion to put the Bills offense on the 2-yard line. Josh Allen capped the drive with a 1-yard rushing touchdown. After a missed two-point attempt, the score was at 438 with 1:58 left in the game.
Lamar Jackson and the Ravens offense tried to put the game away on the next drive, but the Bills defense was able to force them to a 3 and out to get a chance to win the game with 1:33 left in the game. The Bills were able to get in scoring position thanks to Keon Coleman as he caught a pass from Josh Allen and ran to put them on their 10-yard line. Matt Prater ultimately put the game away as he hit a 32-yard field goal as time expired to give the Bills the win 41-40.
The Ravens will have to have a short memory this week as they take on their AFC North Rival Cleveland Browns and quarterback Joe Flacco this Sunday at 1pm at M&T Bank Stadium.
Charm City Sports 