A terrible loss in Baltimore revealed the first signs that Buffalo wasn’t invincible.
The Buffalo Bills’ 2024 season has been written. So let’s add some “illustrations!” If you’re new to Plays That Defined, this isn’t a highlight recap, but rather a cathartic retelling of the past season, chapter by chapter.
Don’t vote for your favorite play necessarily, vote for the one that best represents that game’s narrative. I’ll recap the game to refresh your memory, but don’t feel locked in by my narrative.
Chapter 4: Buffalo Bills at Baltimore Ravens
The 3-0 Buffalo Bills were traveling to take on the 1-2 Baltimore Ravens, a team looking to establish an identify. Coincidentally, they figured things out just in time to throttle the Bills.
I don’t want to write a long recap on this dumpster fire of a game, and I’m sure you don’t want to read one. Instead, I’ll just ask that you actually look at all the GIFs before you vote. You’ll know why I need that disclaimer in just a second.
This ****ing play (Q1; 11:02)
Okay… okay — hear me out please. I know what you’re thinking. This is the play that defined the game, right? Maybe? At least consider the other GIFs.
Yes we were all terrified the Ravens and Derrick Henry would put it together against Buffalo, and, yes, this was the Ravens’ first play from scrimmage on offense. We can all agree how much this sucked too. I’m not even saying this isn’t worthy of winning. I just want you to consider the other plays.
There were still about 56 minutes of game time left and this play put Buffalo down a grand total of ONE score. If the Bills managed to get their heads out of their rear ends for the remainder of the game, this would have been an annoying footnote and nothing else. So maybe some of the other stuff could have defined the game too?
Josh Allen sacked (Q2; 6:57)
Josh Allen was sacked three times in Baltimore. He was sacked a grand total of 14 times during the entire 2024 regular season. Arguably, the sack that led to a lost fumble later in the game might be more iconic, but I chose this one as it occurred early in the game on third down. It wasn’t just an unusual amount of sacks in the game — the Bills converted a scant three third downs in 13 tries.
Khalil Shakir’s 52-yard reception (Q3; 12:24)
I had to put one positive in here, right? I mean the game wasn’t ALL bad. Just mostly bad. The vast majority of it was bad if we’re being fair. We have this highlight though! Why should this define the game? Sometimes a contrast is a fun way to define a game. Think of it this way: This one play was nearly a third of Josh Allen’s passing total for the day.
Patrick Ricard’s touchdown (Q4; 11:31)
If any play has a chance against the Derrick Henry touchdown it’s this play. I don’t know a better way to show you a game where every little thing went one team’s way than this play.