News Summary
The Baltimore Ravens suffered a stunning 41-40 defeat to the Buffalo Bills on the opening weekend of the NFL season. Holding a commanding lead late in the game, the Ravens squandered their chance for victory as the Bills staged an improbable comeback, marking a disheartening continuation of struggles for Baltimore. Key moments included a critical fumble by running back Derrick Henry and missed opportunities by rookie kicker Tyler Loop. This loss also highlights the Ravens’ ongoing struggles to secure wins despite high scoring and favorable win probabilities.
Buffalo, NY – The Baltimore Ravens suffered a heartbreaking 41-40 defeat against the Buffalo Bills in their season opener, marking a disheartening continuation of struggles from previous seasons. This loss was particularly stinging as it occurred in the same stadium where the Ravens faced a painful playoff elimination last year, and it was the second consecutive defeat to the Bills at Highmark Stadium.
The Ravens began the game strong and at one point held a commanding lead, with a 99.1% chance of victory according to ESPN Analytics, with just 4:48 left on the clock. However, like in many past games, they were unable to close out the match. This was an unprecedented outcome for the Ravens, who became the first team in NFL history to score over 40 points and rush for more than 235 yards yet still lose, breaking a streak of 277 successful attempts in such scenarios.
Prior to this game, the Ravens boasted a perfect 25-0 record when scoring 40 or more points, making this defeat their first of its kind in the franchise’s 30-year history. This season-opening loss added to a troubling trend, as the Ravens have now dropped eight games since 2021 when they held a win probability of at least 90%, more than any other team in the league.
Criticism regarding the Ravens’ performance centered on their failure to finish strong and self-inflicted errors that proved costly. A significant turning point came when running back Derrick Henry, who had a spectacular game with 169 rushing yards and two touchdowns, fumbled the ball late in the fourth quarter. Additionally, rookie kicker Tyler Loop missed an extra point that could have made a crucial difference in the game’s final moments.
The Ravens’ defense also faced scrutiny for a lack of effectiveness during key plays, allowing 497 total yards to the Bills. The team struggled to press the Bills’ quarterback, Josh Allen, who had a standout night, passing for 394 yards and throwing two touchdowns while also rushing for two. The Ravens allowed the Bills to score 16 unanswered points in the final moments of the game, rallying from a 15-point deficit with just under five minutes to go.
In a remarkable comeback, the Bills became the first team in NFL history to win after trailing by 15 or more points with under four minutes remaining in regulation. The decisive moments came quickly: Allen engineered a drive that included a miraculous touchdown pass to Keon Coleman, which ricocheted off a player’s hands before reaching Coleman for the score. The game culminated with a field goal from Matt Prater as time expired, sealing the victory for the Bills and marking a memorable opening to their season.
Despite the Ravens showing promise, with quarterback Lamar Jackson contributing three touchdowns (two passing and one rushing), he was unable to deliver a game-winning play in the critical moments. The Bills’ defensive strategy proved effective, as they recorded only one sack against Allen and failed to force any turnovers, allowing the Bills to control the pace of the game when it mattered most.
Looking ahead, the Ravens will shift their focus to next week when they host the Cleveland Browns, aiming to recover from this challenging defeat. Meanwhile, the Bills will prepare for a matchup against the New York Jets. Both teams are eager to build on the momentum from this game, albeit with very different outcomes.
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Additional Resources
- Buffalo Bills.com: Top 3 Things We Learned from Bills Epic Comeback vs Ravens
- Wikipedia: Buffalo Bills
- ESPN: Game Recap Buffalo Bills vs Ravens
- Google Search: Buffalo Bills vs Ravens 2023
- Heavy.com: Keon Coleman Controversy
- Encyclopedia Britannica: National Football League
- Buffalo Bills.com: Bills 41 Ravens 40 Final Score
- Google News: Buffalo Bills
Author: STAFF HERE BALTIMORE WRITER
BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER The BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBaltimore.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Baltimore, Baltimore County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Baltimore Book Festival, Preakness Stakes, and Artscape. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce and Visit Baltimore, plus leading businesses in shipping and healthcare that power the local economy such as the Port of Baltimore and Johns Hopkins Medicine. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Maryland's dynamic landscape.
