Get ready for a long week of sadness Bills fans. The Buffalo Bills lose a heartbreaker to the red hot Baltimore Ravens in the final minutes of the game. After two personal foul penalties and a crucial fourth down pass interference call on the Ravens, the Bills offense failed to get in the end zone on their last offensive play of the game. The Bills drop this game 24-17 and are handed their fourth loss of the season.
The full-on blitz that the Ravens defense presented Josh Allen and the offense was too much to handle. Allen finished the game completing 43 percent of his throws for 146 yards and one touchdown. He was careful with the ball through the air, but did lose one on the ground after being blindside sacked that resulted in a recovery by the Ravens. His running abilities were quiet as he only rushed twice for nine yards.
Penalties, Penalties, Penalties
Both teams struggled with penalties today. The Bills racked up five penalties in a loss for 49 yards. Although, the Ravens were penalized nine time for a loss of 99 yards, five of them resulting automatic Bills first downs. Overall, there were 14 total penalties for a total of 148 yards.
Penalties is what almost cost the Ravens the lead late in the game. On the final Bills drive, the Ravens were called for two personal calls which brought the Bills up into Ravens territory. Bills offensive guard Quinton Spain would then be called for a holding penalty to push the Bills back to 2nd and 17. Allen would then complete a pass for a gain of 13 to set up 3rd and 4, knocking on the Ravens door. With a big blitz, the Ravens sacked Allen for a twelve yard loss to set up 4th and 16 and what seemed to be the final play for the Bills.
On another full-out blitz, Allen was pressured and whipped it down the field for an incompletion until Cole Beasley drew a pass interference call on the Ravens to give the Bills an automatic first down inside the Ravens red zone.
Penalties were in the Bills favor, but could not capitalize on them.
Defense Stepped Up
The Bills defense only gave up ten points in the first half to this Ravens offense. On the opening drive for the Ravens in the third, Lamar Jackson threw an in-stride pass to tight end Hayden Hurst for a 61 yard touchdown. That play extended the Ravens lead to 17-6. After that play, the Bills defense started to step up and play like they did in the first half. They contained the option plays and kept Jackson intact.
Even though they did give up a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to put the Ravens up 24-9, the defense then buckled down the rest of the game. After the Bills got into the end zone for the first time in the game, they converted on a two-point conversion to make it 24-17. This defense had their backs up against the wall knowing that they have the chance to put the ball back into the offenses’ hands. They came through with a big stop to give the Bills offense a chance to tie the game.
Move On, Focus on SNF
This loss drops the Bills down to 9-4, way ahead of where most people had them before the season started. Even with this loss, consider the fact that the Bills almost came back on the team that buried the New England Patriots a couple weeks ago. They are not ready for a Super Bowl run, but they proved that they can compete with the elite teams.
The Bills will travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers who are surprisingly still winning even through injuries/drama. Tune-in as this game is primetime on Sunday night.
-Brandon Ray is a Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage and covers the Buffalo Bills. Make sure to follow Brandon on Twitter at @brandon_ray79 and @FPC_Bills.
