Buffalo Bills (2) – Baltimore Ravens (3): 27-25
The Bills return to the conference final for the first time since 2020. Like that year, they will meet the Chiefs for a place in the Super Bowl. The Ravens made too many mistakes, unlike the Bills led by a solid Josh Allen. The Super Bowl is still denied to Lamar Jackson.
The key moment: the Ravens' failed conversion for the equalizer
Lamar Jackson has just found Isaiah Likely for a touchdown 1 minute 30 from the end of the match. To equalize, John Harbaugh logically chooses the 2-point conversion. On a play designated for a short pass, Lamar Jackson found Mark Andrews, but the latter released the ball before entering the endzone. At this point, the Ravens hope for a miracle with an onside kick that the Bills will unfortunately cover. On the following action, Ty Johnson will definitively end the Ravens' hopes.
The two-point conversion is no good 😳
📺: #BALvsBUF on CBS
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus and Paramount+ pic.twitter.com/s1DAo0tdm1— NFL (@NFL) January 20, 2025
The MVP: Josh Allen
His passing game isn't crazy, with only 16 completions on 22 throws. But it wasn't with his arm that Josh Allen won his match. The Bills quarterback won with his maturity and his management. Throws where needed, inspired runs, and above all 2 touchdowns on the ground, including the one just before halftime to open up a first gap. A match without errors that he will have to reproduce in the next round against the Chiefs.
The flop: Lamar Jackson
We could cite Mark Andrews, and his two lost balls, costing the Ravens a potential extension. But, throughout the match, Lamar Jackson's performance is mixed. So, of course, he threw 2 magnificent touchdowns at the start and end of the match. But the rest of his performance is disappointing. His interception caused him to lose track of the game, since he committed a fumble on the following series. Mistakes that cost dearly in the final result. In these moments, a quarterback must play almost perfectly. It wasn't. Yet another failure for him in his quest for a first ring. Makes you wonder if he'll ever get there…
The stat: 3
The number of Ravens turnovers. The contrast is striking with the Bills who commit none. John Harbaugh's men showed offensive indiscipline, while they gained many more yards than their opponents (413 against 273).
The match film
The Ravens and the Bills do not have an observation period, and respond to each other from their first offensive series. A series full of aerial finesse in Baltimore with Rashod Bateman (4 REC, 66 yards, TD) at the conclusion. Opposite, it's completely the opposite with power and a conclusion signed Ray Davis (4 races, 29 yards, TD).
Then, the defenses adjust, especially Buffalo's. Taylor Rapp intercepts Lamar Jackson (18/25, 254 yards, 2 TDs, INT). Then, a few minutes later, the quarterback committed a fumble covered by Von Miller. Thinking he was going for a touchdown, he only missed 24 yards before Justice Hill tackled him. But, the result is the same since Josh Allen (16/22, 10 races, 147 yards, 2 TDs) will score a touchdown on the ground, allowing Buffalo to take the advantage for the first time in the match.
After a perfect pass for Bateman, Baltimore is well positioned to equalize. But neither Derrick Henry nor Lamar Jackson can break through the Bills lock. While on the contrary, benefiting from an error by Tre'Davious White on Keon Coleman, Josh Allen once again pierces the Ravens defense. John Harbaugh looks like a bad day, his team is trailing by more than a touchdown. (21-10)
In the second half, the Ravens return to basics, namely RPO (Read Play Option) play. At the conclusion, Derrick Henry (16 races, 84 yards, TD) finally comes out of his timidity to reduce the gap. Before that, Justin Tucker added 3 points, but the Ravens still remained 2 points apart after the missed conversion on a deflected pass from Lamar Jackson.
While the Bills are no longer advancing, the Ravens have a new opportunity to move ahead. Unfortunately, Mark Andrews (5 REC, 61 yards) commits a fumble caused and recovered by Terrel Bernard. Sean McDermott and his men are not asking for that much, and are eating 4 minutes on the clock. The coach chooses to secure the points, rather than giving the hat-trick to Josh Allen. Fortunately for him, Baltimore will not score the 2-point conversion after Isaiah Likely's touchdown, and can savor the qualification.
And now ?
The Bills will therefore meet the Chiefs for a remake of the 2020 conference final. That season, the Chiefs won 38-24. In 2024, the two teams have already faced each other, and it was the Bills who won 30-21. In the 2020s, the two teams faced each other 8 times, with sometimes epic matches. During this period, the score in their confrontations is 4-4. This exciting meeting will therefore determine the NFL team in the AFC which will go to the Super Bowl in New Orleans.
For the Ravens, the season ended in a frustrating way. However, Lamar Jackson will always remain the quarterback. But we will have to think about surrounding him better. At the end of his contract, left tackle Ronnie Stanley has an uncertain future, particularly because of the repeated injuries he has suffered. Finally, John Harbaugh could see some of his coordinators take a head coaching job, including Todd Monken (offensive).
