Sunday was looking like one of those games where things just weren’t in the cards for the Buffalo Bills.
Turnovers and poor play on both sides of the ball led to Buffalo trailing by 17 points in the first half. One week after dropping a game late to the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo looked like they could find themselves losing another matchup and moving to .500.
Instead, Buffalo stayed cool and calm and worked their way back into the game.
Three consecutive scores on offense helped Buffalo tie the game by the end of the third quarter. Of course, the defense did their part as well. After a slow start, Buffalo’s defense shut the Ravens down. Three consecutive forced punts and two interceptions by the unit kept Baltimore off the board and allowed Buffalo to make one final drive and kick a game-winning field goal as time expired.
Final score: Bills 23-Ravens 20.
A total team effort.
The years of needing one unit to carry the other seems to be over. Buffalo is a complete team and despite no shortage of injuries you can never count this team out.
Following their third win of the season, here is where the Bills find themselves on various power rankings.
ESPN: No. 2 (No change)
Analysis:
The biggest issue on defense is ... injuries.
The Bills’ defense is ranked in the top five of almost every major category -- with third-down defense (41.3%, 19th) being one of a few concerns. But what has also stood out is how many injuries the Bills have accumulated, especially in the secondary. Cornerback Dane Jackson and safety Jordan Poyer have returned, but CB Christian Benford is still dealing with a right hand injury, S Micah Hyde (neck) is out for the season, DT Ed Oliver is recovering from a right ankle injury and CB Tre’Davious White continues to rehab a torn ACL in his left knee.
Sports Illustrated: No. 2 (No change)
Analysis:
If forced to pick between a healthy Bills and Eagles team right now, I’d still take Buffalo. The Bills’ schedule is unforgiving, and, thanks to Miami becoming an emerging power in this league, it doesn’t let up. You could argue this better suits them for the playoffs, so long as they make it there with their best players intact.
Pro Football Talk: No. 2 (Up 1)
Analysis:
Learning how to win close games now will help them win close games later. Like in January.
Yahoo: No. 1 (No change)
Analysis:
The Bills weren’t at their best Sunday, but still beat a tough Ravens team in Baltimore after falling behind 20-3. That says a lot about where they are right now. We’re still waiting to see if the Bills can be a championship team, and a win like the one they got Sunday after facing plenty of adversity starts to lay that foundation.
CBS Sports: No. 2 (Up 1)
Analysis:
That was a big-time, comeback victory against the Ravens on the road. That speaks volumes about this team.
NFL.com: No. 2 (No change)
Analysis:
The Bills were getting pushed around by the Ravens during what had the makings of a classic Statement Game for John Harbaugh’s lot, a blowout conquest that would change the perception of two superpowers. Then, in a manner few teams in the league can even approach, Buffalo flipped a switch. After spotting the Ravens an early 17-point lead, the Bills reeled off the final 20 points of a 23-20 win in Baltimore. Josh Allen, per usual, was the engine on offense, but Jordan Poyer was the star of this day: The safety had two interceptions, including the end-zone pick of Lamar Jackson that kept the score tied and set up Buffalo’s march to the game-winning field goal as time expired. Championship mettle by the team from Western New York.
Bleacher Report: No. 3 (No change)
Analysis:
Last week in Miami, the Buffalo Bills suffered their first loss of 2022. And when the Bills fell behind the Baltimore Ravens 20-3, it appeared that loss may have lingered.
But when you have a team with Josh Allen at the helm, you’re never out of it. And thanks to some timely playmaking from Allen and a pair of Jordan Poyer interceptions, the Bills were able to score the game’s last 20 points and pull out the win in this potential AFC playoff preview.
After the victory, Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs told reporters that the key to the comeback was simply settling down and executing.
“When you’re a good team, you’ve got to beat the good teams. You’ve got to rally,” Diggs said. “We were trying to right the ship and hone in on the details. The details are what was messing us up.”
Sunday’s win is the kind that can give a team a head of steam moving forward, and the Bills could use all the momentum they can get—after a winnable matchup with the reeling Steelers in Week 5, the Bills travel to Kansas City to face Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, followed by a home date against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers after the bye.
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