After a late 2-point pass is dropped, Josh Allen and the Bills defeat the Ravens to go to the AFC championship game.

In the world of professional football, few things are more exhilarating than a tightly contested playoff game between two powerhouse teams, each led by their franchise quarterbacks. In the 2024 AFC Divisional Round, the Buffalo Bills faced off against the Baltimore Ravens in a game that lived up to all the hype, with both teams battling until the very end. It was a game full of intensity, high drama, and individual brilliance, particularly from the two star quarterbacks, Josh Allen of the Bills and Lamar Jackson of the Ravens.

The game’s final moments were nothing short of heart-stopping, with the Ravens mounting a fierce comeback, only for a dropped two-point conversion to leave them on the wrong side of a 31-29 final score. Thanks to Allen’s calm under pressure and the Bills’ ability to make key plays when it counted, Buffalo emerged victorious and advanced to the AFC Championship Game for the second consecutive year.

This article will take you through the critical moments of the game, highlight the performances of both quarterbacks, analyze what went right for the Bills, and examine the heartbreaking turn of events for the Ravens in the game’s final moments.

Setting the Scene: High Stakes and Elite Quarterbacks

As the playoffs kicked off, the 2024 AFC Divisional Round matchup between the Buffalo Bills and the Baltimore Ravens was one of the most anticipated games of the season. Both teams had earned their playoff spots with impressive regular seasons, each boasting top-tier offenses and dynamic quarterbacks. The Ravens entered the game with the same expectations that they always do: high hopes for Lamar Jackson to deliver in big moments. Meanwhile, the Bills, led by Josh Allen, were aiming to prove that their Super Bowl window was wide open.

Allen’s remarkable arm strength, accuracy, and playmaking ability had made him one of the most dominant quarterbacks in the NFL, and his ability to shine in big moments was well-documented. On the other side of the field, Jackson’s electrifying play and unmatched ability to extend plays with his legs had given opposing defenses nightmares for years. Both quarterbacks represented the future of the NFL, and this game promised to be a battle between two of the league’s best.

The stakes could not have been higher. A win for either team would send them to the AFC Championship Game, just one step away from a Super Bowl appearance. For both Jackson and Allen, this game was about more than just advancing—it was about cementing their legacy and proving they could perform in the most crucial moments.

The First Half: A Tale of Two Quarterbacks

From the opening kickoff, it was clear that both teams had come prepared for a playoff battle. Early on, it was the Bills’ offense that struck first. Allen, as cool as ever, led a methodical drive down the field, using a mixture of quick passes to Stefon Diggs and short-yardage runs by Devin Singletary to pick apart the Ravens’ defense. The drive culminated in a touchdown pass to Gabe Davis, who made a spectacular catch in the corner of the end zone, giving the Bills a 7-0 lead.

However, Lamar Jackson was not to be outdone. The Ravens responded with a fast-paced drive of their own, mixing in several designed runs for Jackson and key completions to Mark Andrews and Rashod Bateman. Jackson’s ability to stretch the defense with his legs allowed the Ravens to move the ball with ease, and a short touchdown run by J.K. Dobbins tied the game at 7-7.

The game continued in this back-and-forth manner. Josh Allen threw another touchdown, this time to tight end Dawson Knox, as he found success against the Ravens’ defense with his ability to make quick reads and exploit mismatches in the secondary. However, Jackson answered right back, running for a 35-yard touchdown to cap off a long drive that showcased his elite athleticism. At the half, the game was tied 14-14, and it was clear that both quarterbacks were settling in for a high-scoring affair.

The tension in the stadium was palpable as fans on both sides could feel the weight of the moment. The first half had been a showcase of the two quarterbacks’ skills, with each player displaying their unique ability to lead their team down the field and respond to adversity.

The Second Half: Momentum Swings and the Heroics of Josh Allen

As the second half began, both teams came out with renewed energy, knowing that the next 30 minutes would determine their season. The Ravens took the opening possession of the third quarter, and Lamar Jackson’s ability to create plays with his legs was on full display. He scrambled for several key first downs and made an important third-down completion to Mark Andrews to move the chains.

However, the Bills’ defense, which had struggled to stop Jackson on the ground throughout the game, stiffened when it mattered most. On a critical third-and-3 near midfield, Jackson tried to fit a pass into tight coverage to Bateman, but Tre’Davious White jumped the route and intercepted the pass, giving the Bills excellent field position.

Josh Allen took full advantage of the turnover, leading a crisp, five-play drive that ended with a 24-yard touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs. The touchdown gave the Bills a 21-14 lead and put them in control of the game. Allen’s ability to make quick decisions and deliver accurate throws in critical moments was on full display, and the Ravens were left reeling from the turnover.

But Lamar Jackson was not finished. The Ravens, needing a response, turned to their ground game, mixing in runs from Dobbins and Jackson to move the ball methodically down the field. A 14-play, 75-yard drive ended with another touchdown run by Jackson, who found a gap in the Bills’ defense and sprinted into the end zone for a 5-yard score. The Ravens had tied the game once again at 21-21, and the momentum appeared to be shifting in their favor.

A Heart-Stopping Finale: The Ravens’ Missed Opportunity

As the game entered the final moments, both teams were fighting for their playoff lives. The Bills took a 24-21 lead with just under five minutes remaining after a clutch field goal by Tyler Bass, capping off a 10-play drive that had eaten up clock and kept the Ravens’ offense on the sidelines.

With the clock ticking down, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens had one last chance to steal the game. Starting at their own 25-yard line with 3:30 left on the clock, Jackson immediately went to work, methodically moving the ball up the field with his legs and arm. He connected with Andrews for a crucial 15-yard gain and then hit Devin Duvernay on a quick slant for another first down.

With less than two minutes to play, the Ravens found themselves in a must-score situation. After a quick 8-yard completion to Andrews, Jackson scrambled to avoid the Bills’ pressure and found Bateman in the end zone for a touchdown. The Ravens had taken a 29-24 lead with just 1:15 remaining on the clock, and the Buffalo crowd was left in stunned silence. Jackson had once again worked his magic, and the Ravens were just one stop away from securing a victory.

However, the Ravens were faced with an important decision: to go for two and attempt to make it a seven-point game, or to kick the extra point and give the Bills a chance to tie the game with a field goal. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh made the bold call to go for the two-point conversion, believing that a touchdown would be needed to win the game regardless.

Jackson dropped back to pass, looking for Mark Andrews in the end zone. The Bills’ defense was ready, and as Jackson threw the ball, Matt Milano came up with a crucial deflection. The pass, intended for Andrews, was off-target and fell incomplete. The Ravens’ chance to extend their lead was squandered, and the Bills now had a window to make a comeback.

The Final Drive: Josh Allen’s Leadership Under Pressure

With the missed two-point conversion, the score remained 29-24, and the Bills now had 1:10 left to mount a drive that could win the game. The stakes were as high as they could be, but for Josh Allen, it was just another opportunity to prove why he was one of the league’s elite quarterbacks. Allen, who had remained calm and collected throughout the game, didn’t falter in the face of pressure.

He started the drive by completing a 20-yard pass to Stefon Diggs, and then followed it up with an amazing throw to Gabriel Davis down the sideline for another 40 yards. With 20 seconds left and the Bills on the Ravens’ 10-yard line, Allen dropped back to pass. On a play-action rollout, he found Dawson Knox wide open in the end zone for the game-winning touchdown.

The Bills’ sideline erupted in celebration as they had come back from the brink of defeat to secure a 31-29 victory. Josh Allen had done it again, leading his team to a dramatic win with poise and accuracy under pressure. The Ravens, on the other hand, were left stunned, knowing that a dropped pass on the two-point conversion had been the difference between advancing to the AFC Championship Game and heading home.

 A Thrilling Victory for the Bills

In a game full of twists and turns, Josh Allen’s leadership and clutch play propelled the Bills to a hard-fought 31-29 victory over the Baltimore Ravens, sending Buffalo to the AFC Championship Game. Despite a valiant effort from Lamar Jackson, who put on a remarkable performance in leading the Ravens’ offense, it was Allen who emerged victorious when it mattered most.

For the Bills, the win was a statement of their resilience and championship aspirations. Allen proved once again that he could handle the pressure of the postseason and lead his team to victory in the most critical moments. As Buffalo advances to the AFC Championship Game, their hopes of making it to the Super Bowl remain alive, and with Josh Allen at the helm, they’ll be a tough team to beat.