Bills Stun Ravens with Fourth-Quarter Comeback
The Buffalo bills orchestrated a remarkable comeback victory over the Baltimore Ravens on sunday night, overcoming a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit to win 37-33. The game highlighted significant struggles for both defenses and a dominant performance by Bills quarterback Josh Allen.
The Ravens initially controlled the game, fueled by a powerful rushing attack led by running back Derrick Henry. Henry finished with 18 carries for 167 yards and two touchdowns, including impressive runs of 30 and 46 yards. He recorded three runs of at least 30 yards for the first time in his career. baltimore built a 40-25 lead, but ultimately faltered.
Buffalo’s defense struggled throughout much of the game, allowing Henry to consistently break through the line and Allen ample time to operate. The Bills’ pass rush was largely ineffective, and coverage was described as “spotty” with tackling deemed “sloppy.” Defensive tackle ed Oliver briefly sparked hope for the Bills by forcing a fumble from Henry, recovered by Terrel Bernard, setting up a late scoring prospect for Allen, but the overall defensive performance was deemed unacceptable after conceding 40 points. The bills’ secondary was also hampered by injuries, with veteran cornerback tre’Davious White sidelined with a groin injury and first-round pick Max Hairston on injured reserve, forcing rookie Dorian Strong into significant playing time.
Despite the defensive challenges,Josh Allen led a furious rally. He utilized both his arm and legs, frustrating the Ravens’ defense with scrambles, including a 19-yard gain on a play that initially appeared to be a sack. Allen consistently found time to scan the field and make progressions, aided by the Ravens’ limited pass rush, which didn’t record its first sack until under 10 minutes remained in the fourth quarter.The Ravens, though, contributed to their own downfall. Despite emphasizing the need to eliminate turnovers after their playoff loss to the Bills in january, they committed crucial mistakes. A fumble by Henry in the fourth quarter proved notably costly. Additional errors included a missed extra point by kicker Tyler Loop,a Jaire Alexander pass interference call that extended a Bills drive for a touchdown,and a botched sequence late in the second quarter that resulted in a Bills field goal.
Baltimore’s offensive strategy leaned heavily on the running game,particularly in the first half,where they rushed for 160 yards on 17 carries. The absence of Pro Bowl fullback Patrick Ricard and tight end Isaiah Likely did not deter their commitment to establishing the run.
Ultimately, the Ravens’ inability to close out the game and their recurring self-inflicted errors raised concerns about their consistency. The Bills’ comeback secured a hard-fought victory and highlighted Allen’s resilience in the face of adversity.
