The Buffalo Bills will advance to the AFC Championship for the first time since 1994 after defeating the Baltimore Ravens 17-3.
After missed kicks and blown opportunities saw the Bills and Ravens be all tied up at three after missed kicks from the automatic Justin Tucker and rookie Tyler Bass, the Bills would have to change something in the second half.
Rolling into the endzone on his coverage assignment, Taron Johnson picked off a touchdown pass Lamar Jackson and brought it from one end of the field to the other for a 101-yard pick-six.
This ‘franchise-altering play’, was a pivotal moment in the game and Baltimore seemingly had no response to such a deflating moment.
On the heels of Johnson’s score, Buffalo’s defense would have an entirely new level of momentum. Sacking Jackson and penetrating into the backfield to stop the Ravens’ run attack, the Buffalo Bills were able to generate punting situations to keep the game in their hands.
When they did get the ball in the second half, Brian Daboll opted to focus more on the run, something he completely abandoned in the first half, and utilize his clock management skill. That is not to say that the Bills did not get the win in their signature way by passing for an egregious amount of yards and touchdowns, though Allen did connect with Diggs for a wide receiver screen for six points in the third as well.
After getting out to a 17-3 lead, the Bills would play keep away and running out the ball and the clock, sealing an AFC Championship appearance next week.
These are the top three takeaways from the Bills win over the Baltimore Ravens.