Ravens drop the ball against the Bills 41-40 in a game that shouldn't have been close

Locker Room:

The Ravens, for the second year in a row, are heading back to the scene of the playoff crime.

Last season, the Ravens were facing the Chiefs week one after a heartbreaking loss at M&T Bank Stadium in the AFC Championship.

Tonight, they face the Buffalo Bills, who they lost a heart breaker to again in the divisional round after some untimely turnovers and a dropped game-tying 2-point conversion.

About 7 1/2 months, a draft, and some free agency moves later, the Ravens look to get revenge lite against the Josh Allen-led team.

On paper, the Ravens are better than the Bills. In fact, on paper they were better than the Bills last season.

This, of course, doesn't matter. What happens tonight matters.

Ummmmmmmmm.... 🤔

Here's a pre-game head scratcher - Keaton Mitchell is inactive. This was not on many Ravens fan bingo card.

The Game:

1st Quarter -

The Ravens' special teams are not looking so special on the first kickoff. The Bills were allowed to run it back to midfield.

A costly neutral zone infraction gives the Bills 3 and 2, which they convert. The Bills eventually get in the end zone with a TD pass to Kincaid.

Score: 7-0 Bills.

Ravens moving and grooving, coming out in no huddle. They are taking what the defense gives them - running and short passes.

The Ravens offensive line falls and can't stop the bull rush. Daniel Faalele is getting beat like a drum.

Tyler Loop nails a 52-yard FG.

Score: 7-3 Bills

Ravens force Bills to a 3-and-out.

They get the ball back. Henry runs for a 1st down. Lamar hits Flowers for a 1st down. Ravens are mid field.

King Henry with a vintage 30 yard TD.

Score: 10-7 Ravens

Derrick Henry is a like a refrigerator with a jet engine. He takes the Ravens all the way down inside Bills Territory.

Lamar runs the ball for an 11 yard touch down.

Score: Ravens up 17-7.

The Ravens defense is letting the Bills march downfield. They stop the Bills on 3rd down.

Bills kick a FG.

Score: Ravens 17-10

Thoughts:

The Ravens pass rush is not getting to Allen. He has entirely too much time. They have to find a way to disrupt his rhythm. The secondary is allowing Bills Wr's to get lost and get completions.

Ravens go downfield but get stopped.

Tyler Loop nails one from 49 yards out.

Thoughts 🤔: It was baffling to not see Henry on the field after the 2-min-warning. The Bills couldn't stop him.

Ravens lead 20-10.

The Ravens pass rush got Allen out of the pocket yet again but they couldn't get him down. Shakir gets lost in the in the secondary. Bills are able to kick a FG.

Ravens lead 20-13.

The Ravens have their foot on the gas. Lamar hits Flowers for a 23-yard TD pass.

Score: Ravens 27-13.

Ravens defense letting the Bills have whatever they want, and they commit a boneheaded pass interference penalty which puts the Bills on the goaline.

Bills run it in with Cook and fail to get the 2-pt conversion.

Score: Ravens 27-19

Refs are completely blind to the defensive holding on Bateman.

Ravens get the ball and go 3-and-out.

The Ravens are getting pushed on the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.

Fortunately they were about to get a stop.

Ravens come out with a smooth play-action to Zay Flowers.

Lamar hits D-Hop for a 29-yard TD pass. D-Hop caught that with ONE HAND!

Is this Madden? Idk....

The Ravens send the house on third and six. Josh dumps the ball off to James Cook. He runs almost to pay dirt for 51 yards.

Josh Allen scores on a a keeper.

The Ravens get an interception on the Bills 2-pt attempt.

Score: Ravens 34-25

The incredible hulk, I mean the incredible Henry ran 46 yards for a TD.

The Ravens defense has been keeping the door open all night for the Bills. The Bills score on a tipped pass.

Score: Ravens 40-32

Ravens were moving downfield, but Henry fumbles. Bills get the ball deep into Ravens territory.

The Bills score again but get stopped on 2 pointer.

Score: Ravens 40-38

The Ravens go three-and-out.

Score: Bills win 41-40

Final Thoughts:

The Ravens defense let the Bills walk down and kick a field goal to win the game. This game shouldn't have been close.

Why did the coaching staff punt the ball back to the Bills late in the 4th quarter. when the Ravens defense was gassed and couldn't stop the Bills for most of the game?

The head coach has to trust his 2x MVP to make the right decision to convert on downs and win this game.

Going away from Henry on key downs killed this team. Penalties, lack of pass rush, and poor coverage killed this team. Sending the house on major downs killed this team.

Jaire looked lost most of the night. Wiggins got picked on.

Major questions will continue to be asked about the Ravens when it comes to play calling and execution. The defense as a whole looked absolutely horrible as they gave up 22-points in the 4th quarter.