For the primary time since 2020, the Buffalo Payments will play for an opportunity to go to the Tremendous Bowl after a chaotic end to their 27-25, divisional-round win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night time.
Listed here are three takeaways from an exhilarating divisional-round recreation that units up a star-studded AFC Championship recreation subsequent Sunday between the Payments and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.
Knee-jerk response: This will likely lastly be the Payments’ yr
The Payments are actually only one win away from their first Tremendous Bowl look since they misplaced their fourth straight in 1994.
Whereas QB Josh Allen solely had 127 passing yards on Sunday, he accounted for 2 of the Payments’ three dashing TDs, together with this run that prolonged Buffalo’s result in 21-10 with 16 seconds remaining within the opening half.
The Payments’ protection had an entire effort as nicely, forcing three Ravens turnovers and two from QB Lamar Jackson, who had not dedicated a number of turnovers in a recreation all season.
This fumble restoration from the veteran Von Miller arrange a Payments landing moments later and gave them a lead they’d not give up the remainder of the sport.
This Buffalo group is proficient on either side of the ball and it confirmed as soon as once more. The Payments could have been outgained, 416-273, however they made the performs after they wanted to and transformed within the pink zone (3-of-4), which particularly bodes nicely this time of the season.
Whereas Patrick Mahomes and the two-time defending Tremendous Bowl-champion Chiefs await, the Payments head into that matchup as the one group to defeat the Chiefs at full power this season again on Nov. 17. If there was ever a chance to place an finish to their Tremendous Bowl drought, it’s laborious to think about a extra opportune time for the Payments than proper now.
Recreation MVP: Payments linebacker Terrel Bernard
Clearly, Allen may have obtained this award contemplating his total worth to the group. Nonetheless, resulting from Bernard’s sensational efforts to punch the ball out and get well a fumble when the Ravens had been transferring the ball within the fourth quarter, he will get the glory for this one.
After the Ravens had scored on every of their second half drives, they gave the impression to be on their technique to a 3rd rating within the fourth quarter till Bernard recovered his personal pressured fumble on TE Mark Andrews with 8:50 left.
Till that time, Baltimore had all of the momentum after forcing Buffalo right into a pair of punts and a area purpose. Whereas the Payments settled for one more area purpose after the turnover, they took 5:12 off the clock and put some extra strain on the Ravens.
Allen continues to play like an MVP, however Bernard’s clutch performs on that fumble restoration stored extra factors off the board from the Ravens and allowed Buffalo to tack on a further three factors, which turned extraordinarily essential within the closing seconds.
Quote: ‘You gotta catch that each one day’
The Payments could have gained the sport, however the Ravens gave it every part they’d on their closing drive.
On a drive that began on the 12-yard line with 3:23 remaining, Ravens QB Lamar Jackson marched Baltimore down the sector on a TD drive to tug it inside two with 1:33 left. Sadly for the Ravens, this brutal drop from Andrews within the nook of the top zone would be the lasting reminiscence of their season.
CBS shade commentator Tony Romo reacted to the wide-open drop saying, “You gotta catch that each one day.” That may be true for anybody in that scenario, given the location of the ball from Jackson.
Contemplating the seven-year veteran Andrews has 51 profession receiving TDs, and 11 this season, it was much more stunning that he didn’t make the catch, regardless of the adversarial climate situations.
Whereas the Ravens dedicated three turnovers, they had been able to tie the sport till the essential drop. Per the NFL on CBS, Baltimore’s 78 wins over the past seven seasons are probably the most in that span in NFL historical past and not using a Tremendous Bowl look. What a tricky technique to end a season for a group that continues to fall quick within the postseason.
