ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) – The Buffalo Bills advanced to the AFC Championship Game with a 27-25 victory over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Divisional Round on Sunday at Highmark Stadium.
This is the up and down arrow in the game. Start at the top after a big win.
Photo by Al Bello – Getty Images
Up arrow:
Terrell Bernard forced fumble
Leading 24-19 in the fourth quarter, Bernard stripped the football from Ravens tight end Mark Andrews and recovered it himself, stopping Baltimore at the Buffalo 44-yard line and sending the Bills into the final game. I prepared. The goal is to make it an 8-point game.
Sales
The Bills’ defense forced the Ravens into three turnovers, including one interception and two fumbles.
Cole Bishop and Damar Hamlin
Bishop, a rookie, had to play most of the game in place of starter Taylor Rupp because Rupp suffered a hip injury. The moments weren’t too big and communication was good. He finished with three total tackles.
Hamlin led the Bills with eight tackles, including a sack and a forced fumble to Lamar Jackson, which Von Miller returned 39 yards for a touchdown.
QB – Josh Allen
Allen didn’t have a great day statistically, but he was completely in control and efficient, completing 72.7% of his passes, completing 16 of 22 for 127 yards, 20 yards running, and a touch. Recorded two knockdowns.
WR – Khalil Shakil
Shaquille was the only receiver with the Bills to do anything of note. He caught six of seven targets for 67 yards.
pass protection
Josh Allen was only sacked once and the Ravens had just four quarterback hits.
Derrick Henry’s defense in the first half
The Bills really focused on Henry to start the game, holding him to just 21 yards on eight carries in the first half, averaging just 2.8 yards per run.
K – Tyler Bass
Bass went a perfect 3-of-3 on the extra point and was also successful on two field goal attempts, including a 51-yard shot. Those points made the difference in the match.
Red zone violation
Once inside the Ravens’ 20-yard line, the Bills completed 3 of 4 touchdowns.
Penalties
The Bills were called for only one 10-yard penalty.
Photo by Timothy T. Ludwig – Getty Images
Down arrow:
Ravens offense is strong
The Ravens had 416 yards of total offense. They averaged a whopping 7.3 yards per play.
No forced punts
The Bills didn’t force the Ravens to punt once in this game.
third down defense
A big reason Baltimore didn’t score was because they converted 7 of 10 third down chances. There are too many.
Lack of reception outside of Shaquille
The Bills’ receiving totals were 15, 12 and 11 yards behind Khalil Shakir’s 67 yards. Only running back James Cook caught more than one pass. He had three catches.
Derrick Henry in the second half
Even though the Bills defense did a great job against Derrick Henry in the first half, he ran eight times for 67 yards in the second half, averaging 8.37 yards per carry.
The second half started with two punts.
Leading 21-10 at halftime, the Bills had a chance to kill the Ravens when they received the ball, but they punted on their first two possessions and gained just 19 yards in nine plays.
pass rush
Part of that was to keep him in the pocket, but that bill didn’t create any pass rush against the Ravens. He only had two sacks on missed plays and only five quarterback hits.
Photo provided by: Outlet Sake
