In a Sunday night showdown between AFC Most Valuable Player candidates, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson faced off against Buffalo Bills signal-caller Josh Allen.
Advantage: Allen.
Fueled by two first-half rushing touchdowns and aided by Jackson’s two opening-half turnovers, the Bills overcame the perception that the Ravens were the more physical team, pounding out a 27-25 victory in an AFC Divisional Round win at a snowy Highmark Stadium.
While practicing for the matchup, Ravens DC Zach Orr boasted about the Ravens being the most physical team in the NFL. Orr was wrong. The Bills pushed around the Ravens for much of Sunday’s matchup.
Falling behind 21-10 at halftime, however, the Ravens were confident they could rally. Six times during the regular season, the Ravens experienced double-digit deficits. Four times they won.
They rallied again, but fell short when Ravens tight end Mark Andrews, who dropped just four passes all season, couldn’t handle a 2-point conversion and lost a fumble.
The Bills travel to face the two-time defending Super Bowl-champion Kansas City Chiefs in next Sunday’s AFC title game. Allen is 0-3 versus Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes in the postseason.
X (Twitter) users responded to Andrews, one of the league’s best tight ends, dropping a potentially tying 2-point conversion, securing the win for the Bills, who finished the season 10-0 at home …
You gotta catch that all day – Tony Romo pic.twitter.com/KrJbYtDCzf
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 20, 2025
Bills officials kept the tarp on the field in the hours leading up to the opening kickoff. The temperature in Buffalo read 19 degrees, with a 13 wind chill …
Ravens and Bills get underway at Highmark Stadium in four hours. Winner advances to the AFC championship game to play the Kansas City Chiefs. pic.twitter.com/0hojs1s4B5
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) January 19, 2025
Bills wide receiver Mack Hollins arrived at the locker room, looking ready for a game of beach football …
Mack Hollins arrives at Highmark Stadium ready to face the elements ❄️
Temperatures in Buffalo are expected to be around 19 degrees at kickoff of Bills-Ravens 🥶https://t.co/DRATrIMKh9pic.twitter.com/wkACYZ1z6n
— 5 GOATs (@5GOATs_) January 19, 2025
Was Jackson a breath of fresh air even in a losing effort …
Lamar Jackson warms up prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Divisional Playoff(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) pic.twitter.com/YDITyObawh
— 98 Rock (@98Rock) January 19, 2025
The Bills entered Sunday facing a different Ravens defense …
The Ravens defense has been incredible since Week 11… But what did they change? 🤔@CowherCBS breaks it down. pic.twitter.com/ad0KZHp3PA
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 19, 2025
As they did in the Wild Card win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jackson hooked up with Rashod Bateman for a game-opening touchdown reception. Sunday, the duo hooked up for a 15-yard score and an early 7-0 advantage …
RAVENS STRIKE FIRST IN BUFFALO ‼️
Lamar to Bateman makes it 7-0!
(via @Ravens)pic.twitter.com/lh5rio2v2i
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) January 19, 2025
The Bills responded on their opening drive against the improved Ravens’ defense with Ray Davis scoring on a 1-yard run, capping an 11-play, 70-yard drive …
First career playoff touchdown for @Ray_Davis07!!!
📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/1uhyfLLoE8
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 19, 2025
Bills have not lost turnover battle all season. They showed why in the first half, forcing Jackson into turnovers on the Ravens’ next two series. Jackson threw an off-the-mark interception to safety Taylor Rapp and then fumbled off a hit by safety Damar Hamlin …
LAMAR FUMBLES FOR HIS SECOND TURNOVER 😱
(via @Ravens) pic.twitter.com/G6evQHBYAA
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) January 20, 2025
Jackson committed multiple giveaways Sunday for the first time this season …
Lamar Jackson games with multiple turnovers in his career
Starts
Regular Season 14 94 (15%)
Playoffs 4 8 (50%) pic.twitter.com/fGomosffA9— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 20, 2025
Allen converted Jackson’s turnover into the Bills’ second 1-yard TD run of the first half …
Bills capitalize on the turnover
Bills 14
Ravens 7pic.twitter.com/8tswzrjPL9— Ernest (@Mr_Rdz3) January 20, 2025
The Ravens threatened to tie the game with under four minutes remaining in the first half, but the drive stalled at the 8-yard line, forcing kicker Justin Tucker into a 26-yard field goal. Jackson likely was not pleased after possessing a first-and-goal situation following a 42-yard pass to Bateman …
The Bills defense gets the stop after the Ravens had 1st and Goal at the 2! 💪 pic.twitter.com/IGPTp8r4kp
— NFL UK & Ireland (@NFLUKIRE) January 20, 2025
While Jackson committed two first-half turnovers, Allen started hearing “MVP … MVP … MVP …” chants after scoring off a 4-yard run, his second rushing TD. The Bills extended their lead to 21-10 with 16 seconds left in the half. It ended up being the Ravens’ largest halftime deficit this season …
Playoff @JoshAllenQB!
📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/BFXozvs4Vv
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 20, 2025
Allen joined elite company …
Most playoff Rush TD by QB in NFL history
Steve Young 8
Josh Allen 7
Tom Brady 7 pic.twitter.com/EZL7FmOQ2N— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 20, 2025
Sunday’s true winner …
For over 20 years, Charlene Mallory has been a volunteer at St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy, a local nonprofit that serves thousands of people a day on Buffalo’s East Side. Charlene spends each day serving others.
As a huge @BuffaloBills fan, Commissioner Roger Goodell thanked her… pic.twitter.com/cRxZgVd9nA
— NFL (@NFL) January 20, 2025
On their first second-half series, Tucker’s 47-yard field goal made it into a one-score game (21-13). On their second possession, Henry started taking over and scored on a 5-yard run. Getting more physical, the Ravens’ seven-play, 80-yard drive featured 68 rushing yards. The 2-point conversion failed …
THE KING!!!!!!
Tune in CBS! pic.twitter.com/8qJY8xk1wF
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 20, 2025
Connecting on his second fourth-quarter field goal, kicker Tyler Bass connected on a 21 yarder, providing the Bills with an eight-point lead (27-19) with 3:29 remaining …
.@BuffaloBills kick is good! 8-point game with 3:29 to play 👀
🎥: @NFL pic.twitter.com/x1E2XJYCuU
— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) January 20, 2025
Engineering a last-gasp drive, Jackson led the Ravens to a score on tight end Isaiah Likely’s 24-yard reception, but the 2-point conversion was dropped. The Bills went 10-0 at home …
TOUCHDOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TUNE IN ON CBS pic.twitter.com/Y1uxzOELvp
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 20, 2025
Final score: Bills 27, Ravens 25 …
Bills keep it rolling‼️ pic.twitter.com/vQFtIEo5oA
— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) January 20, 2025
