Ravens vs. Bills score, takeaways: Buffalo storms back from 17-point deficit to knock off Baltimore

The banged-up Bills spotted Lamar Jackson a huge lead before rallying

Why the Bills won 

Buffalo got a superb effort from their patchwork defense after a porous start. Of course, the Ravens didn't score in the second half, and mustered a mere 129 yards after halftime. While Baltimore got out to a 20-3 lead, it was sparked by Buffalo turnovers. While the Bills stars were key in the win, Buffalo got quality contributions from backups in the secondary and up front along the defensive line. 

Josh Allen was also heroic in the comeback victory. His start was shaky, with an interception on his first drive along with a trio of three-and-outs in the first half. The final drive before halftime catalyzed Buffalo's surge, and the offense did a 180 in the third and fourth quarters. Allen lost slot receiver Isaiah McKenzie due to concussion and labored through at least three drops from his receivers in the rain. It didn't matter. Allen was the Bills leading rusher with 70 yards on 11 carries, including a 4-yard scamper on a fourth-and-1 on a field goal drive in the third quarter, and the game-tying touchdown in the fourth. Once he settled in, Allen played fantastically in the rain. 

Buffalo's defensive line ate for most of the contest, even if Lamar Jackson wasn't always corralled. It was a fine afternoon for Von Miller and Co. 

Why the Ravens lost 

Baltimore's defense simply could not get off the field with any regularity in the second half. The Bills scored on three of their four second-half possessions on drives of 51, 80, and 77 yards. Buffalo wasn't able to run it effectively, yet Allen's passing attack clicked from the final drive in the second quarter until the end of the game. 

Also, Jackson's two interceptions were, of course, costly. They evened the turnover differential and each halted what were impressive drives by Baltimore's defense at the worst time. 

Baltimore only sacked Allen once, and while he didn't have a clean pocket on every drop back, the pass rush did not have a strong day against the Bills blocking unit. 

Play of the game

Poyer's interception on fourth-and-goal with under three minutes to play not meant the Bills stopped the Ravens from taking the lead, but it allowed the Bills breathing room for what amounted to the game-securing drive. Buffalo went 77 yards before kicking the winning field goal, instead of having to go an extra 20-ish yards on a drive that would've started inside their own five.

What's up next

The Ravens need to regroup and get ready for Week 5 because Joe Burrow and the Bengals are coming to town for a Sunday night prime-time affair. The Bills head home to take on the Steelers, who lost to the Jets after benching Mitchell Trubisky for rookie Kenny Pickett.

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Thanks for following along. Takeaways upcoming. 

 
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Down 17 in the first half, the Bills storm back and get the enormous win in Baltimore, 23-20 with a field-goal at the buzzer. 

 
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What a bananas game

 
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That missed challenge and loss of timeout by the Ravens looms large now

 
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Not an enormous hit, but looked to be like a cornerback took an extra step or two to hold up. Didn't. Led to a 15-yard penalty. 

 
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And Odafe Oweh was one of the freakiest athletes in last year's draft class. Somehow, Josh Allen eluded him and made a play. Crazy. 

 
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Patience is a virtue for Josh Allen there, staying stoic inside the pocket. 

 
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Outstanding range from Jordan Poyer. And the Bills defensive line had Lamar Jackson retreating like he was playing Madden. Monstrous play. 

 
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Matt Milano is having A DAY

 
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The improvisation ability of these two QBs >>>>

 
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Bills covered well, then Lamar Jackson happened. 

 
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Rather big third-down upcoming here, I'd say. #analysis

 
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Linderbaum's having a rough afternoon on the penalty front. 

 
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Best Ravens drive in a while. Gotten a few penalties, but Baltimore's attack had been stagnant. 

 
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Scary run for Justice Hill... clearly hurt near the end of that play. 

 
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Maybe a blown coverage assignment on that third-down conversion by Baltimore? Mark Andrews and rookie Isaiah Likey were both in huge voids in Buffalo's zone. 

 
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Boogie Basham played that outside run perfectly to draw that hold. Set the edge.

 
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Justice Hill is different from any other Ravens RB. Serious speed. 

 
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Effective stunt there from the Ravens. Punt down to the 5 yard line by Sam Martin. Massive drive upcoming. 

 
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Practice squad call up Prince Emili -- rookie UDFA from Princeton -- with the tip there before the interception. 

 
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That ball was tipped into the air like 15 feet. 

 
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This has turned into the game we were expecting. Two quality, top-level contenders battling. 

 
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And that'll do it for the third quarter. We gotta game, folks. Love it. 

 
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That's exactly what you need to do if you're the Ravens there (and you decide to go for it). QB sneaks are so darn efficient. 

 
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Jackson may have gotten there, but doesn't look to be anything definitive

 
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I don't know how that's overturned. 

 
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First real look at how much it's raining right there. 

 
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Aaaaaaand this game is tied at 20. Incredible resolve by the Bills. 

 
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Naked bootleg for Allen. Looks like he got in. 

 
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That would be Khalil Shakir's first NFL catch, and it's an impressive one. Flashed the YAC brilliance he showcased for three years at Boise State. 

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