The Baltimore Ravens dominated the Buffalo Bills all night long, thrashing the Bills to the tune of 35-10 in Week 4 action.
The Bills were dominated in all facets of the game, as the Ravens offensive moved the ball at will and their defense had no problem getting after quarterback Josh Allen. In the end, it was a complete reversal of what viewers saw of Buffalo over the past three weeks.
Buffalo (3-1) opened the game with a three-and-out, acting as a harbinger of things to come for the unit.
Baltimore (2-2) responded by opening the scoring with an 87-yard touchdown run by Derrick Henry. From there, it was all Ravens.
The Bills struggled to matchup with the Ravens. Buffalo’s defense had several players out of the lineup, including linebacker Matt Milano, cornerback Taron Johnson, and linebacker Terrel Bernard.
Their absences were too much for the Bills to overcome on defense.
The Ravens scored on their opening three drives. Henry scored twice, and Justice Hill added the third scoring with a 19-yard touchdown reception.
Baltimore entered halftime up 21-3.
Buffalo showed some life at the start of the second half. It looked like the Allen show would be on full display. Allen extended a drive with a spectacular 52-yard pass to Khalil Shakir. Ty Johnson finished the drive, reducing the deficit to 11 points.
Buffalo’s defense was much more aggressive at the start of the second half. They stopped the Ravens on consecutive drives in the third quarter.
However, the Buffalo offense could not get it together. Kyle Van Noy sacked Allen. Travis Jones flattened Allen as the ball came out. The momentum shifted back to the Ravens, and they dominated for the remainder of the time.
The bigger worry could be how poor the Bills offense looked throughout the game. There were far too few moments where it appeared Buffalo put any pressure on the Ravens defense. Once again, the Bills fell into the hero ball routine, which was unsustainable against a strong defense.
In the end, it’s a performance that leaves some questioning if the past few weeks were a mere mirage of football dominance by Buffalo.
Here is Bills Wire’s instant analysis of the game:
Scoring recap
First Quarter
BAL 7, BUF 0: Derrick Henry 87-yard rushing touchdown. Justin Tucker PAT. (10:50)
BAL 7, BUF 3: Tyler Bass 50-yard field goal. (4:34)
Second Quarter
BAL 14, BUF 3: Derrick Henry 9-yard touchdown reception from Lamar Jackson. Justin Tucker PAT (14:55)
BAL 21, BUF 3: Justice Hill 19-yard touchdown reception from Lamar Jackson. Justin Tucker PAT. (7:34)
Third Quarter
BAL 21, BUF 10: Ty Johnson 3-yard touchdown rush. Tyler Bass PAT. (11:26)
BAL 28, BUF 10: Lamar Jackson 9-yard touchdown run. Justin Tucker PAT. (2:45)
Fourth Quarter
BAL 35, BUF 10: Patrick Ricard fumble recovery in the end zone. Justin Tucker PAT. (11:23)
It was over when…
Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Lamar Jackson’s nine-yard rushing touchdown gave the feeling that this one was done. Even with over 17 minutes left, it felt like the Ravens had complete command of this game with score.
The Bills had a nice response to start the second half. The defense forced two three-and-outs by Baltimore. Between those series, Buffalo scored on a short three-yard pass from Allen to Ty Johnson. Allen made a spectacular play to keep the drive alive, completing a 52-yard bomb to Khalil Shakir while rolling to his right.
However, Buffalo got a little too cute, and it ended with an Allen fumble. Kyle Van Noy blew up a flea flicker. Allen was stripped of the ball, and Baltimore controlled the game.
The subsequent drive ended with Jackson’s touchdown, increasing the lead to a three-score game. With the Bills offense struggling to sustain progress, the differential was too great for Buffalo to overcome.
Key stats
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)
- Buffalo gave up 21 points in the first half. This was the most points allowed by the Bills since Week 9 of last year.
- The Bills were outgained 295-90 in total yards in the first half.
- Buffalo did not record a QB hit in the first half.
- The Ravens averaged 8.4 yards per rush ahead of garbage time. Henry averaged 8.3 per carry, while Jackson averaged nine yards per rush.
- Buffalo’s offense only registered 12 first downs.
- The Ravens outgained the Bills 271-82 yards on the ground.
- Hill led all receivers with six catches for 78 yards.
- Henry finished with 199 yards on 24 carries and two touchdown rushes.
The deciding factor
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 29: Derrick Henry #22 of the Baltimore Ravens is tackled by Casey Toohill #99 of the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on September 29, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
There were several issues with Sunday’s game for the Bills. However, we’ll go with the Ravens offensive efficiency as the big factor. Baltimore moved the ball with ease throughout the game. They used their running backs as the catalyst for the offense.
The run game completely overwhelmed the Bills defense. Henry was an absolute beast. Henry ran for 24 yards on 199 carries.
When Henry wasn’t running downhill, it was Jackson who put massive pressure on the Buffalo defense. Jackson was impressive when he got into open space in the run game. The 2023 MVP’s RPOs put the Bills defenders on skates. Jackson totaled 54 yards on six carries.
The Baltimore turned to Hill for another matchup problem with the Bills. Hill caught the third Ravens touchdown of the night. The running back ran a perfect wheel route and toasted Dorian Williams on his way to the end zone. Surprisingly, Hill led all receivers with six catches on the evening.
A close second on the deciding factor was the Bills offensive struggles. The major problem of protecting Allen became an issue throughout the night.
However, watching the Ravens run wild over the Buffalo defenders was enough to take the top spot on tonight’s list.
What’s next?
HOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 26: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans throws a pass during the third quarter of a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium on November 26, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Buffalo travels to Houston for an intraconference battle with the Texans. Houston defeated Jacksonville 24-20 to improve to 3-1. The Texans are atop the AFC South standings, one game ahead of the Indianapolis Colts. The game will have some added drama, as the Bills take on Stefon Diggs for the first time since his trade this past offseason.
