What we learned from the Bills’ Week 4 loss to Ravens
The Buffalo Bills continued their 2024 schedule with a Week 4 defeat at the Baltimore Ravens. The 35-10 reality check on Sunday Night Football comes after a hot 3-0 to start the season.
Through the first three weeks, the Bills (3-1) looked like the best team in all of football. The Ravens (2-2) were clearly the better team on Sunday. Following the loss, we were taught a few things about this year’s version of the Bills (3-1).
Here are five things we learned from the Bills’ loss in Week 4:
Back down to Earth
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 29: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills avoids a tackle from Kyle Van Noy #53 of the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on September 29, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
After the Bills’ start to the year, they looked like a team without many flaws. The Ravens exposed some holes in the Bills. They could not to do anything they wanted in the first half and Baltimore controlled much of the game.
The Ravens scored a touchdown on each of their first three possessions and put the Bills in panic mode early. On the contrary, Buffalo punted on four of their first five possessions. The Ravens were one step ahead of the Bills all night. After the beating of the Miami Dolphins 31-10 and the Jacksonville Jaguars 47-10, the solid Ravens team brought a scorching hot Bills squad crashing back to earth.
Buffalo remains a top team in the AFC, and early-season adversity could help a young Bills team in the long run.
Pass protection fails
Sep 29, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy (53) strips the ball from Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) while attempting to pass the ball during the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Quarterback Josh Allen had a rough night. He was constantly chased out of the pocket and as a result, the Bills saw flashes of “hero ball” from Allen at times. Whether it was a bad play call, Allen wasn’t seeing the field, or protection broke down, it didn’t look pretty.
Baltimore made it a point of emphasis to blitz Allen and forced them into tough spots with delayed blitzes and a variety of looks. Free rushers heading towards your franchise quarterback right after the snap is never good. This probably led to Allen feeling like putting that “hero ball” cape on at times.
The Ravens had three sacks and eight quarterback hits, while the Bills recorded just one sack and three QB hits.
Couldn’t stop the opponent’s strength
Sep 29, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) runs through Buffalo Bills linebacker Dorian Williams (42) tackle attempt during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Going into the Week 4 matchup, the Bills knew exactly what the Ravens wanted to accomplish as a football team: run the ball. And yet, they didn’t stop it. All night.
Baltimore ran for 271 yards on the ground, led by Derrick Henry’s 199 yards and one TD on 24 attempts. He took his first touch (and the Ravens’ first play from scrimmage) 87 yards to the house. The Ravens did what they wanted for much of the game, and no adjustments from head coach Sean McDermott or defensive coordinator Bobby Babich were affecting the Ravens’ rhythm.
Concern in middle of defense deepens
Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
The Bills have had a safety problem all year. It started with Mike Edwards and Cole Bishop both getting hurt in training camp, and it has led to Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin being the full-time starters on the backend of the defense. Rapp’s concussion on Sunday makes things harder and thrusts rookie Cole Bishop into a starting spot if Rapp has to miss time.
The team is already missing both linebackers Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard, as well as nickel corner Taron Johnson. Edwards remains out as well. They’re now down to depth players on the entire second level and at both safeties. They have performed well to this point, but the return of Bernard or Johnson would provide a big boost. This version of the defense can only get you so far.
Too conservative to hang around
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 29: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills throws a pass during the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 29, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
While the Ravens were busy scoring touchdowns on their first three drives of the game, the Bills were punting on fourth and short. The first conservative decision was to punt on fourth and two at the 50 on their first drive. And, on their third drive, they punted on a fourth and one at their own 39. After that second punt, Baltimore went down and scored to put them up 21-3 midway through the second quarter.
A conservative offensive approach doesn’t mix well with a defense giving up quick touchdowns. That second safe choice to punt the ball on fourth and one took a lot of the Bills’ life. We know Allen wants to go for those fourth downs, and McDermott has been better at being aggressive in recent years, but that wasn’t the case on Sunday.
