4 Things We Learned From the Bills Huge Win Over the Ravens
Credit: Tina MacIntyre-Yee via Imagn Images
The Buffalo Bills advanced to the AFC Championship Game for only the second time in Josh Allen’s career after winning a nail-biter against the Baltimore Ravens by a final score of 27-25. Buffalo’s scores came courtesy of three rushing touchdowns, the first of which came from Ray Davis and the final two coming courtesy of Josh Allen. Baltimore very nearly came back and tied the game, but a dropped two-point conversion by Mark Andrews sealed the Ravens’ fate. As a result, the Bills will travel to Kansas City for a highly-anticipated grudge match against the Chiefs.
What did we learn from last night’s wild, snowy affair?
Josh Allen Has Learned When To Not Do Too Much
Josh Allen is a shining example of a quarterback who excels in every aspect of the game of football. He can win it through the air and on the ground, and he has demonstrated time and time again that he’s more than capable of playing Hero Ball. On the CBS broadcast, the booth was begging to see those Hero Ball tendencies shine. But in a veteran move, Allen played it safe on a play that could have gone horribly awry had he given into his urge.
Josh Allen resisting the urge to pitch this ball was play of game @LastNights_Game
pic.twitter.com/ovWXQN2oW0— Scoot (@slastnightsgame) January 20, 2025
Had Allen decided to pitch the ball back to James Cook, a touchdown was entirely possible… but so was a turnover, or even a defensive touchdown. Allen elected to prioritize holding onto the football, which enabled the Bills to make it an eight-point game on Tyler Bass’ chip-shot field goal.
Allen has worked hard to overcome a reputation of being a turnover-prone quarterback, and last night’s clutch decision was a major step forward. As a result of the decision and ensuing three points, Buffalo was able to ice the victory. Speaking of ice…
The Bad-Weather Advantage Is Real
Buffalo was exactly the winter wonderland everyone expected it to be, and Baltimore struggled to hold onto the ball as a result.
………anyways let’s enjoy this damar hamlin strip sack https://t.co/Jv9PwJ43Jv pic.twitter.com/cwslEVdswe
— steven (@snydxr) January 20, 2025
Jackson’s fumble was one of three turnovers committed by the Ravens, which were undoubtedly the deciding factor in a two-point contest. Buffalo, who has played more than their fair share of games in snowy weather, managed a turnover-free game. That discipline, also revealed by the Bills only committing one penalty all night, was crucial against a Baltimore squad that has arguably been the most dangerous team in the NFL in 2024.
Moreover, the Ravens’ inability to maintain control of the football did not begin and end with turnovers.
MARK ANDREWS WITH THE BIGGEST CHOKE IN NFL HISTORY!!!!!!!!
pic.twitter.com/pt2Wx2yOjw— John Frascella (Football) (@NFLFrascella) January 20, 2025
Andrews’ season-ending drop was a symbolic ending to a game that literally slipped out of Baltimore’s hands. We also saw another drop from Andrews and Derrick Henry earlier in the game. Buffalo’s ability to maintain control of the football and dominate the turnover battle in a game where weather was on their side was a major factor, if not the ultimate deciding factor, in their win.
Tyler Bass Is Finally Ready
Other than quarterback, no position on a football team is more subject to recency bias than kicker. Tyler Bass felt the worst of that after his missed field goal cost the Bills a chance at victory in the Divisional Round against Kansas City last season. This year, however, Bass has rebounded and didn’t miss a single kick on Sunday.
Unsung hero of today's game. That 51 yarder may have saved the day.
— 🇺🇲Kaz🇺🇲 (@K4zWorld) January 20, 2025
The longtime Bills’ kicker has now made all ten of his kicks in this postseason.
The weather and clutch situations did not haunt Bass, as each of his kicks, particularly the 51-yarder in the fourth quarter, proved that Bass is capable of making clutch kicks in any given situation. If called upon what will almost certainly be frigid weather in Kansas City on Sunday, Bass has earned the trust to go out and win Buffalo a game.
The Chip On Buffalo’s Shoulder Is A Difference-Maker
The narrative surrounding Buffalo going into this game was the fact that their run defense (sixth-worst-graded by PFF in 2024) wouldn’t be able to contain Henry and Lamar Jackson. The Bills’ run defense played with the amount of anger that Bobby Babich alluded to last Sunday, as they were able to hold Henry to 21 rushing yards on eight carries in the first half. In the midst of this, the offense was able to establish momentum, and the Bills took the lead for good after the first of Allen’s two rushing touchdowns.
Babich’s haters are steaming.
It wasn’t just the defensive side of the trenches that enabled the Bills to maintain momentum. If you don’t believe us, ask Ravens Twitter.
Bills offensive line simply out-performing the Ravens' defense.
— Baltimore Beatdown (@BmoreBeatdown) January 20, 2025
The Bills’ offensive line went up against the Ravens’ run defense that’s one of the best in the league. Despite the O-line’s strong play of late, many believed they were outmatched by Baltimore’s stout defensive line. In that matchup, Buffalo’s big men up front channeled the chip on their shoulder and proved to be a major factor in their rushing offense, which totaled 147 rushing yards. That yardage total was more than Baltimore’s No. 1 rushing defense allowed in a game all season. They also continued to provide solid protection for Allen, who was only sacked once by a squad that had the second-most sacks in the NFL this season.
With a (slightly) less effective Chiefs defense on the horizon, Buffalo showed they are up to the task of going against the best of the best. Now, they have to do it all over again if they want to make their first Super Bowl in 31 years.
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