The Buffalo Bills emerged victorious in a hard-fought playoff battle against the Baltimore Ravens, advancing to the AFC Championship Game. After the game, Bills quarterback Josh Allen and head coach Sean McDermott shared their thoughts, showing respect for their opponents and reflecting on the key moments that led to their win.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott started his postgame comments by acknowledging the Ravens’ effort and talent.
“Two great teams going up against each other. Two great quarterbacks going up against each other as well,” McDermott said. “Give credit to the Ravens. They’re well coached. John [Harbaugh] does a great job, he and his staff. Lamar [Jackson] and what he does for the offense, special teams—they’re talented. On the defensive side, they did a great job making it hard on us tonight, especially in the second half.”
McDermott’s decision-making in the final moments was also a topic of discussion. Facing a critical fourth down late in the game, McDermott opted to kick a field goal to extend the Bills’ lead to eight points.
“I considered going for it. Maybe not at three yards there, had it at a long two, short three. … Certainly, going up eight, I felt like that was the right thing to do there,” McDermott explained.
Josh Allen, who delivered a steady performance to lead the Bills to victory, took time to praise Lamar Jackson’s abilities and leadership.
“Lamar’s a special player,” Allen said. “The things he can do on the field are unreal. He’s an MVP for a reason, and he makes their team so much better. Nothing but respect for him and the Ravens.”
Allen’s words reflect the mutual admiration between two of the league’s brightest stars, even in the heat of competition.
The Bills also faced the challenge of containing Derrick Henry, who finished with 84 rushing yards. McDermott credited his team for limiting the star running back early but noted areas for improvement.
“Our guys heard it all week long—‘We’re not big enough, strong enough, talented enough,’ whatever it is,” McDermott said. “In the first half, we did a pretty darn good job. The second half, he got rolling a little bit. … But even there, I think we could have done things better fundamentally.”
The Bills’ ability to capitalize on turnovers and key takeaways ultimately made the difference in the game. Despite a strong defensive effort from the Ravens in the second half, Buffalo’s clutch decision-making and execution in critical moments secured the win.
As the Bills move forward in their postseason journey, the Ravens face a long offseason of reflection. Both teams showcased their strengths, and the mutual respect between players like Allen and Jackson underscores the class and sportsmanship of the game.
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