Josh Allen Leads Bills to AFC Title Game with Gritty 27-25 Win Over Ravens

Amid chants of “MVP! MVP!” cascading down from a snow-dusted crowd, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen waved off the spotlight following his team’s gritty 27-25 victory over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Divisional Playoffs on Sunday night.

Buffalo’s win, marked by resilience and teamwork, ended a three-year streak of divisional round losses and secured the franchise’s first trip to the AFC Championship since the 2020 season. The Bills now face the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in a highly anticipated rematch.

“This wasn’t about one guy or one unit—it was about all of us,” Allen said postgame. “We believed, we battled, and we made the plays that mattered.”

Allen, though not dominant statistically, delivered when it counted. The quarterback rushed for two touchdowns—scrambles of 1 and 4 yards—while adding 127 passing yards on a snow-slicked field that hampered both offenses. He finished with 20 rushing yards and kept the turnover column empty for the 11th time this season.

Buffalo’s offense totaled a modest 273 yards, including a pivotal 1-yard touchdown run by rookie Ray Davis. The Ravens’ defense, which allowed only 176 rushing yards, managed to slow Buffalo’s attack but failed to capitalize on opportunities created by the conditions.

Buffalo’s defense, maligned earlier in the season, turned in a timely performance to stymie Lamar Jackson and the Ravens’ explosive offense. Despite allowing 416 total yards—including 176 on the ground—the Bills forced three critical turnovers, each shaping the game’s outcome.

A pivotal sequence occurred midway through the second quarter when Jackson fumbled on a broken play. Bills safety Damar Hamlin grabbed Jackson’s ankle, forcing the fumble, which was scooped up by Von Miller and returned deep into Ravens territory. That turnover set up Allen’s 1-yard score to give Buffalo a 14-7 lead—a lead they never relinquished.

The Bills also limited Ravens star running back Derrick Henry, who managed 84 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries after torching Buffalo for 199 yards in their Week 4 meeting.

Lamar Jackson, who finished 18 of 25 for 254 yards and two touchdowns, showcased his usual brilliance but was undone by mistakes. His lone interception, paired with the fumble and two failed 2-point conversion attempts, overshadowed an otherwise strong outing.

The Ravens were given a late chance to tie the game after Jackson hit Isaiah Likely for a sliding 24-yard touchdown with 1:33 remaining. However, tight end Mark Andrews dropped a wide-open 2-point conversion pass, letting the ball bounce off his chest—a miscue that sealed Baltimore’s fate.

On the ensuing onside kick attempt, Buffalo cornerback Rasul Douglas fielded the ball cleanly, allowing the Bills to run out the clock and preserve their perfect 10-0 home record for the season.

The Bills’ playoff win sets the stage for another clash with Kansas City, the team that eliminated Buffalo in 2020 and again in the unforgettable “13-second game” during the 2021 postseason.

“That loss still stings,” said Allen, referencing the 42-36 overtime defeat in 2021. “We’ve got a lot of respect for Kansas City, but we know what’s at stake. This is a different team, and we’re ready.”

Buffalo leaned on its complementary football approach all season, matching a franchise record with 13 wins. They became the first NFL team to score 30 touchdowns both rushing and passing in a season, all without a receiver surpassing 900 yards. Defensively, the Bills boasted a league-best +24 turnover differential, a strength on display Sunday night.

For Baltimore, the loss extends a string of playoff disappointments. The Ravens fell to 5-8 in divisional round games, including 1-4 in their last five appearances. Scrutiny on Jackson’s postseason record will continue to mount, as the 2019 MVP dropped to 3-5 in playoff games.

“It’s tough,” Jackson said. “We had opportunities, but I didn’t make enough plays to help us win. We’ll be back.”

The Bills will travel to Arrowhead Stadium next Sunday to face Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in a game with significant stakes. Kansas City defeated Buffalo 38-24 in the 2020 AFC Championship but fell short in the Super Bowl that year.

For Buffalo, Sunday’s victory represents both a breakthrough and a new opportunity. The road to the Super Bowl remains daunting, but with their star quarterback and complementary team approach, the Bills are proving they belong among the NFL’s elite.

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