(Orchard Park) Josh Allen ran for two touchdowns, his defensive unit forced three turnovers and the Buffalo Bills advanced to the NFL Conference of America championship game with a 27-25 victory over the Ravens. Baltimore, Sunday evening.
Updated yesterday at 11:20 p.m.
John Wawrow
Associated Press
The Bills held on late in the game when an unmarked Mark Andrews dropped a two-point conversion pass from Lamar Jackson with 1:33 left.
Jackson earlier connected with Isaiah Likely for a 24-yard touchdown to give the Ravens a chance to tie the game.
“And then, the Buffalo Bills defense? asked Allen, a potential NFL MVP winner. All year this team heard that we had no talent, that we were too small, that we couldn’t stop the run, that we weren’t good enough to compete. »
We didn’t give up and we worked hard. I am so proud of our defensive unit. I am so proud of our offense and our special teams. What a team victory!
Josh Allen
The Bills, who ended a three-game losing streak in three years at this point in the playoffs, will face the two-time defending Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, next Sunday.
PHOTO GREGORY FISHER, USA TODAY SPORTS
Mark Andrews missed an assist on a two-point conversion attempt late in the game.
It will be a duel on familiar ground for the Bills, who have been eliminated three times by the Chiefs in the last four years.
Allen scored on runs of one and four yards while Ray Davis also scored on a one-yard run. Tyler Bass made both of his field goal attempts, including a 21-yarder with 3:29 left in the game.
-That sequence was set up by the Ravens’ third turnover, when linebacker Terrel Bernard snatched the ball from Andrews at the Bills 44-yard line.
PHOTO MARK KONEZNY, USA TODAY SPORTS
Damar Hamlin tries to tackle Lamar Jackson.
The Bills finished their season with a perfect 10-0 record at home. This includes a 30-21 victory over the previously undefeated Chiefs in the 11e week of activities.
“We know what they are. They are the epitome of what you want to be in the NFL,” Allen said of the Chiefs. You have to beat them to surpass them. So, you know, we’re going to enjoy this win tonight. »
In a duel of candidates for the title of MVP, Jackson completed 18 of his 25 passes for 254 yards and 2 touchdowns; Allen completed 16 of 22 passes for 127 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground.
The Ravens had one of the most productive offenses in the NFL this season, but they were held to 25 points by the Bills. The scrutiny on Jackson’s playoff performance will only intensify, as he is now 3-5 in such circumstances. He committed two turnovers in the first half, throwing an interception and dropping a ball.
“It was unusual for us to cause turnovers like that. We had some opportunities not to get there, but we did it,” said Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.
You try to bounce back from those mistakes during a match. You cannot erase them.
John Harbaugh
Andrews didn’t want to appear in front of the media after the game, but he received a lot of support from his teammates.
“A single action does not define a person. He is the Ravens’ all-time passing touchdown leader, Kyle Hamilton said. He has been a model of success throughout his time here. »
