Top 5 plays from the Bills’ comeback win over Ravens

Five plays that played a crucial role in the Bills improving to 3-1 on the year

In every one-score game, there’s always a handful of plays that play a crucial role in deciding the game’s outcome. In recent memory, the Bills haven’t been on the right side of these one-score games. But, the Bills were able to get their first one-score win in 21 months on Sunday in Baltimore, and they used smart coaching and incredible instincts from their top players to come out with a win after trailing 20-3.

The Bills directly addressed some of the criticism they were facing following the loss to Miami. People questioned the Bills coaches’ ability to lead in tight games, and they also questioned if Bills players were capable of remaining composed when things aren’t going their way.

I’m going to count down, in chronological order, the top five crucial moments for the Bills in Sunday’s win. These plays, all coming in the second half, display the ability of Bills coaches and players to operate at the highest level at the right time.

1. Josh Allen first-down run (Q3-10:40, 4th & 1 at the Baltimore 25)

After a Ravens three and out to start the second half, the Bills marched down the field using the legs of both Allen and Devin Singletary. However, on second down with just 1 yard to go for the first down, Singletary was bottled up by the Ravens, forcing a 3rd and 5 at Baltimore’s 29. And, the third down play was not ideal: from the shotgun, the ball was snapped at Allen’s shins, and he was forced to pick it up and run up the gut. He picked up four yards, which set up this play on 4th and 1:

This is an example of some of the traits Allen can bring to a game that you just can’t teach. Immediately after faking the give to Singletary, Allen swung his hips around to see Odafe Oweh, Baltimore’s 6’5″ 260-pound edge defender, staring him in the face. He didn’t flinch and calmly pump faked to get around him, and then added another pump fake to get by Marlon Humphrey to get the first down. In a drive that started out strong, the Bills found themselves in another short-yardage situation which they have looked shaky with to start the year. Allen converted for a first down, and although they were forced to settle for a field goal shortly after, they cut the game to within a score, 20-13 early in the third quarter.

2. Allen 11-yard rushing TD (Q3-3:26, 2nd & 3 at the Baltimore 11)

After the Bills field goal, they forced the Ravens to punt in just five plays. The Bills then went on a 9-play, 80-yard drive over the course of 3 minutes and 27 seconds, and it was capped off by this Allen rushing touchdown on a bootleg:

Allen’s play action to Singletary got Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen to bite just enough so he could get the edge around him. From there, good luck trying to prevent Allen from scoring when he has a full head of steam. The great playcall from Ken Dorsey tied the game at 20-20 and gave the Bills all of the momentum late in the third quarter.

3. Jordan Poyer interception (Q4-4:15, 4th & Goal at the Buffalo 2)

After the Bills tied the game at 20 apiece, the Ravens quickly turned it back over to the Bills due to an interception from Jordan Poyer off of a batted pass from DT Prince Emili. The Bills went three-and-out, however, giving the ball back to the Ravens. The Ravens then occupied the ball for 9 minutes and 29 seconds on their 14-play, fourth quarter drive. They stalled at the Bills goal line, however, and Poyer’s second interception of the day couldn’t have come at a better time:

Due to the edge pressure from Greg Rousseau and Shaq Lawson, Poyer had enough time to run halfway across the field to intercept the floating pass from Lamar Jackson. The INT gave the Bills the ball back with just over 4 minutes left at their own 20. This set up the potential for a game-winning drive.

4. Allen pass to Khalil Shakir for 9 yards (Q4-2:14, 2nd & 3 at the Baltimore 45)

The final drive saw a couple crucial plays from the Bills offense, which A) helped them continue driving down field and B) kept the ball out of Lamar Jackson’s hands at the end of the game. Here, Allen escapes pressure, spins out of a sack, and finds the rookie for a first down on the sideline:

A sack there would have made things difficult for the Bills. Instead of being sacked and looking at a 3rd & 13 in their own territory, Allen found a way to gain a first down and keep the final drive on pace. And, the rookie stepped up big. Shakir not only made himself available to his quarterback running out of the pocket, but he squeezed in the clutch catch on a damp and windy day in his first regular season action.

5. Allen screen pass to Singletary for 16 yards (Q4-2:00, 2nd & 11 at the Baltimore 27)

This was a brilliant play by Ken Dorsey. The Bills found a simple solution to the Ravens’ soft coverage on the outside and put the ball in Singletary’s hands with room to run and blockers in front:

The screen to Motor was also a safe play. You don’t want to put the ball in harm’s way when trying to lead a game-winning drive. Dorsey schemed this up perfectly and it’s almost like he was waiting all game for the right opportunity to run this. And, Dawson Knox, Spencer Brown, and Shakir all played their part as they paved the way with downfield blocks. The 16-yard pass play took the Bills from the Ravens 27 yard line all the way down to the 11. From there, they were able to both drain the clock and put themselves in an easy position to win the game.

I think if the Bills made any sort of plays like these in the first half, then we don’t even have to worry about it being a one-score game at the end, let alone a 17-point comeback. But regardless, it was reassuring to see the Bills composed and making good decisions in a tight game, just one week after they failed to do so.