Ravens Squander Lead, Fall to the Buffalo Bills
The Ravens fell at home for the second straight time this time at the hands of the Buffalo Bills, bringing their record to 2-2 on the season. The Ravens had another second half collapse leading to a 23-20 defeat. The Ravens led by as many as 17 points, and took a 20-10 lead into halftime. But second half adjustments by the Bills appeared to be the Ravens undoing as they failed to score in the second half giving up 13 unanswered points to Josh Allen and the Bills offense.
The Ravens got out to a fast start as Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey intercepted Josh Allen on the games opening possession. Just two plays later the Ravens would find the end zone. Running back J.K. Dobbins would score one a one-yard pass his first touchdown of the season and his first of two touchdowns on the day.
The Bills would struggle in the first half to generate any offense settling for only three points in the first quarter. A Devin Singletary fumble at the end of the first quarter would give the Ravens another scoring opportunity as the Ravens would settle for a 42-yard Justin Tucker field goal to take a commanding 17-3 lead into the second quarter.
Another Justin Tucker field goal this time good from 51-yards late in the second quarter opened up the Ravens lead to 17, but as fate would have it, that would be the last points the Ravens would score for the remainder of the game.
The Bills would get some momentum heading into halftime as Allen found receiver Isaiah McKenzie for a four-yard score to cut the lead to 20-10.
The second half would be all Bills as the Ravens offense was halted by penalties and dropped passes as well as a Lamar Jackson tipped interception, stalling any chances to put more points on the board. A Tyler Bass 39-yard field goal and a Josh Allen 11-yard touchdown run tied the game at 20 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Ravens looked to take back momentum as Lamar Jackson willed the offense on a 14-play 93-yard drive down to the Bills four yard line. After failing to convert on third down, John Harbaugh kept his offense on the field on fourth down looking to take the seven point lead rather then take the easy three points. Jackson scrambled to his right looking for his receiver Devin Duvernay in the back corner of the end zone. Jackson’s pass was intercepted by Bills safety Jordan Poyer his second interception of the day.
With just over four minuted remaining in the game, the Bills took over on their own 20 yard line looking to complete the comeback. Allen used his arm and legs to get the Bills offense down to the Ravens 41 yard line with just over two minutes to play. On a first and long Allen looked to pass failing to connect with his running back. Allen was hit by Ravens cornerback Brandon Stephens who was called for roughing the passer on the play, a controversial call that has a big impact in the games final minute. The Bills were now within field goal range as they now looked to run the ball and chew up clock. The Bills would get all the way down to the Ravens three yard line, before sending out Bass who would connect on a 21-yard field goal as time expired to give the Bills a come from behind 23-20 victory on the road.
Sunday’s loss was the second straight loss at home for the Ravens, who under Harbaugh are normally unbeatable at home. Sunday also marked the second time the Ravens had blown a double digit lead, something that is very much a concern moving forward.
The Ravens defense played much better Sunday then they had through the previous two weeks, but pass rush still remains a concern as Josh Allen was only sacked once. While the offense seemed to pick up right where it has left off early in the game. The inability to move the ball consistently in the second half largely due to mistakes stalled several drives that would prove to be detrimental in the end.
The Ravens still have a lot to improve on if they want to be considered one of the best teams in the AFC, and playing all four quarters and finishing games is a must if they wish to make some noise this season.
The Ravens now turn their attention to the Cincinnati Bengals who come to Baltimore for a Sunday night matchup and the Ravens first game against an AFC North foe.
Injury Notes:
Rashod Bateman (Ankle/Foot) Day-to-Day
Justice Hill (Hamstring) Day-to-Day
Game Notes:
Ravens become second team in NFL history (2011 Vikings) to lose multiple games after leading by 17 or more within their first four games.
Lamar Jackson had his lowest passing total of the season throwing for 144 yards.
Lamar Jackson led all Ravens with 73 yards rushing.
Odafe Oweh led all Ravens with seven tackles, including the Ravens only sack.
Sunday marked the fourth straight week the Ravens have forced a defensive turnover.
