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The Baltimore Ravens were minutes away from making one of the loudest statements of Week 1. Instead, they stumbled into one of the most shocking collapses of the NFL’s opening weekend. Up by 15 points in the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills, John Harbaugh’s team let the game slip away in agonizing fashion. The result was a reminder that even veteran-heavy teams can falter when execution breaks down at critical moments.
The Ravens were part of one of Week 1’s most thrilling games, but it ended in crushing fashion. Despite holding a two-score lead in the final period, they fell 41-40 to the Bills in a collapse that will sting for weeks. Sure, blame can be shared across the roster. However, the defense bore the brunt after allowing Josh Allen to pick them apart in the closing minutes.
Baltimore looked ready to run the Bills out of Highmark Stadium. That said, a costly fumble and defensive lapses flipped the script. Superstar RB Derrick Henry piled up nearly 200 total yards and two touchdowns. Sadly, he lost the ball late when Ed Oliver punched it free. Buffalo recovered with just minutes remaining, setting up the game-winning field goal at the buzzer. What should have been a statement victory instead turned into a heartbreaking defeat.
Here we’ll try to look at and discuss the Baltimore Ravens personnel most to blame for close Week 1 loss to Bills.
A vintage King Henry performance should have been the story. He bulldozed Buffalo’s front seven, piling up more than 160 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns. That included a long 49-yard sprint that looked like the knockout blow. For three and a half quarters, Henry reminded the league why he remains one of the NFL’s most feared runners.
That said, football is a game of moments. Unfortunately, Henry’s defining one last Sunday was a costly fumble with three minutes left. Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver got his hand in, and Buffalo recovered in prime position to mount their comeback. The turnover swung all momentum away from Baltimore. Yes, Henry’s total impact can’t be ignored. Still, his late mistake overshadowed his brilliance and proved to be the hinge point of the collapse.
Baltimore’s other backs didn’t help either. Justice Hill coughed up the ball on a bizarre 15-yard loss earlier in the game, while Rasheen Ali had just a single carry. Keaton Mitchell being inactive only underscored how thin the Ravens’ options were beyond Henry. The entire position group has to shoulder some responsibility for a loss that should have been sealed well before Buffalo got the ball back.
If Henry’s fumble was the dagger, Baltimore’s special teams mistakes kept the door cracked open all night. Outside of kicker Tyler Loop, this unit was a glaring liability. Bills return man Brandon Codrington had five returns for 139 yards. Ty Johnson added another...
