Buffalo Shuts Down Baltimore 17-3 to Advance to the AFC Championship
For the first time since 1994, the Buffalo Bills advance to the AFC Championship game and they are now just one more victory away from playing in Super Bowl 55.
Buffalo QB Josh Allen performed respectably during the game, completing 23 of 37 passes for 206 yards and 1 touchdown. All-star wide receiver Stefon Diggs caught 8 of those passes, one of which was for a touchdown, gaining 106 yards. John Brown also had 8 catches, while gaining 62 yards.
While the passing game was pretty successful, the Bills ground game again struggled and only gained 32 total yards.
Even though the Buffalo offense played pretty well, it was the defense that made today's win possible with a very strong performance. The defense was able to keep Lamar Jackson, who is arguably one of the most dangerous QBs in the NFL, and the Ravens offense to just 3 points.
Jackson, who was sacked 4 times, was generally harassed all night by the Bills defense which lead to him only being able to gain 34 rushing yards. Jerry Hughes had 2 of those sacks and played a major role in the performance of the defense.
The pivotal play in the game by Buffalo's defense was the 3rd quarter interception by Taron Johnson who took that interception back 101 yards for a touchdown. Johnson also added 6 solo tackles to his performance.
This game marks only the 10th time that the Buffalo Bills and the Balitmore Ravens have faced each other. The Ravens came into the NFL in 1996 as an expansion team. They first faced Buffalo in 1999. Baltimore leads the all-time series with 6 wins, against 4 wins according to NFL Records.
This win also gives Buffalo its 16th playoff win since the Buffalo Bills were established in 1960.
It's been 23 years since Buffalo has made it to the AFC Championship game. Now we have to wait until tomorrow to see who the opponent will be for next week. Buffalo will face the winner of the other AFC Divisional game, Cleveland or Kansas City. If the Chiefs win, Buffalo will travel to Kansas City and if the Browns win, they will take a ride up I-90 to Orchard Park.
Let's go Buffalo!