Josh Allen Shines as Bills vs Ravens Ends in 27-25 Victory for Buffalo

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — In a thrilling Bills vs Ravens matchup on Sunday, Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills gave their fans a game to remember, holding off a late push by the Baltimore Ravens to win 27-25. The victory sends Buffalo to the AFC Championship Game, ending a string of three straight losses in the divisional round and giving Allen another shot at playoff glory.

The game wasn’t all about stats or flashy plays. Instead, it was about making the right plays at the right time. Allen’s highlight moment came when he followed his center, Connor McGovern, into the end zone for a rushing touchdown, stretching the Bills’ lead to 11 points in the first half. With a packed crowd cheering in Orchard Park, Allen celebrated by flexing to the fans, embodying the team’s determination.

The Ravens didn’t make it easy, rallying in the second half to close the gap. But a dropped 2-point conversion by Baltimore’s Mark Andrews and a clutch onside kick recovery by Buffalo sealed the deal for the home team.

Breaking the Divisional Round Curse

For Josh Allen and the Bills, this win was more than just a step forward—it was a breakthrough. After falling short in the divisional round for three consecutive seasons, they finally found a way to advance. While Allen’s passing numbers weren’t jaw-dropping (16 of 22 for 127 yards), he delivered when it mattered. The Bills’ offense leaned on their rushing attack, with three of their first-half drives ending in touchdowns on the ground. Allen also scrambled for 22 yards on eight carries, doing just enough to keep the defense guessing.

Buffalo’s running back James Cook contributed 67 yards on 17 carries, and kicker Tyler Bass chipped in with two key field goals, including an impressive 51-yarder. With this victory, the Bills capped off a perfect 10-0 home season—a feat they hadn’t accomplished since 1990.

Another Chapter in the Chiefs-Bills Rivalry

The win sets up yet another playoff showdown between the Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs. This will be the second time Allen faces Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the AFC Championship Game, with the last meeting in 2020 ending in a Kansas City victory. In fact, Mahomes has bested Allen in all three of their playoff matchups. For the Bills, this game is about more than a trip to the Super Bowl—it’s a chance to rewrite history.

Defense Comes Up Big When It Counts

While Allen and the offense made headlines, Buffalo’s defense deserves plenty of credit. In the fourth quarter, linebacker Terrel Bernard made a game-changing play, forcing and recovering a fumble from Mark Andrews. At the time, the Ravens were trailing by just five points and threatening to score. Bernard’s heads-up play stopped Baltimore in their tracks and gave the Bills’ offense the breathing room they needed to close out the game.

Buffalo’s defense forced three turnovers on the day, a remarkable feat against a Ravens team that had been one of the league’s best at protecting the ball during the regular season. However, the Bills did struggle in one key area: third downs. Baltimore converted seven of ten third-down attempts, allowing them to stay in the game longer than Buffalo would have liked. This was a continuation of a regular-season problem for the Bills, who ranked near the bottom of the league in third-down defense.

Ravens Fall Short Amid Costly Mistakes

For the Baltimore Ravens, the loss was a tough pill to swallow. Quarterback Lamar Jackson, who had been steady all season, struggled in key moments. He turned the ball over twice—throwing an interception and losing a fumble—marking the first time this season he had multiple turnovers in a game. Unfortunately for Jackson, these playoff miscues aren’t new; it was the fourth time in his postseason career that he threw an interception and lost a fumble in the same game. The Ravens are 0-4 in those situations.

One of the most critical moments came in the second quarter, with the score tied at 7. Jackson mishandled a high snap and fumbled under pressure. The Bills scooped up the ball and returned it 39 yards, setting up an Allen touchdown four plays later. It was a momentum swing that Baltimore couldn’t fully recover from.

Despite his struggles, Jackson gave the Ravens a chance late in the game. With under two minutes left, he connected with Isaiah Likely for a 24-yard touchdown, pulling Baltimore within two points. But when it mattered most, Andrews dropped the 2-point conversion pass, and the Ravens couldn’t recover the onside kick that followed. It was a heartbreaking end for a team that had so much promise.

Source: Josh Allen leads Bills past Ravens to reach AFC Championship Game

An Uncharacteristic Performance by Baltimore

The Ravens came into this game as one of the league’s most disciplined teams, setting a franchise record in 2024 for the fewest turnovers in a season (11). But on Sunday, they committed three turnovers, including two by Jackson and a rare fumble by Andrews, just the second of his career. These mistakes proved costly in a game where every possession mattered.

Baltimore also continued to struggle with 2-point conversions. The team was just 1-for-5 on those attempts for the season, and both tries against the Bills came up short. Andrews’ drop on the final attempt will be remembered as the defining moment of the game—a missed chance to tie it and potentially force overtime.

Looking Ahead

The Bills now turn their attention to Kansas City and a showdown with Mahomes and the Chiefs. For Buffalo, it’s a chance to prove they belong among the NFL’s elite and to overcome the team that has been their biggest postseason obstacle. The matchup is set for Sunday night and promises to be one of the most exciting games of the year.

As for the Ravens, the loss leaves them with plenty of questions heading into the offseason. Jackson, a two-time league MVP, now has a 1-4 record in divisional and conference championship games. While his talent is undeniable, his postseason struggles continue to raise doubts about whether he can lead Baltimore to a Super Bowl.

The Bottom Line

This game was a tale of two teams heading in opposite directions. For the Bills, it was about resilience and execution, with key plays on both sides of the ball pushing them to victory. For the Ravens, it was about missed opportunities and uncharacteristic mistakes that derailed their season. As Buffalo prepares for another shot at the Chiefs, Baltimore will be left wondering what could have been.

Read More: Jermall Charlo vs Thomas LaManna Won’t Happen on March 1