The Buffalo Bills seemed poised to regain control in Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens, cutting the lead to 21-10 in the third quarter and moving confidently into Ravens territory after forcing a three-and-out on defense.
But just as they began to build momentum, a controversial play call shifted the tide of the game, a decision that Bills head coach Sean McDermott later admitted he regretted.
On a 2nd-and-7 play from Baltimore’s 44-yard line, the Bills lined up quarterback Josh Allen out wide and executed a direct snap to wide receiver Curtis Samuel. Samuel then flipped the ball back to Allen, who, under immediate pressure, attempted a pass. Unfortunately for the Bills, Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy stripped the ball from Allen, and Baltimore recovered the fumble.
The Ravens capitalized on the turnover by scoring a touchdown on their ensuing drive, extending their lead and effectively sealing a 35-10 victory. The loss marked Buffalo’s first of the season, and after the game, McDermott took responsibility for the failed trick play, admitting that he wished he could take it back.
“That’s something Joe [Brady] and I will talk about extensively,” McDermott said in his postgame press conference, referring to his offensive coordinator. “I’m sure he wants that call back, and I feel the same way. We’ll learn from it and move on.”
The questionable play call drew immediate backlash from fans and analysts alike, many of whom wondered why the Bills would take such an unnecessary risk at a crucial point in the game, especially when they had a chance to narrow the gap.
“Nothing worse than ruining an offense that’s in rhythm by getting too cute,” NFL reporter Benjamin Allbright posted on X (formerly known as Twitter), echoing the sentiment of many frustrated fans.
“Joe Brady just handed this game back to Baltimore. I can’t believe how horrendous a decision that was,” another fan wrote.
While McDermott was quick to note that the trick play was Brady’s call, he also acknowledged his own role in another momentum-shifting decision earlier in the game.
On their very first drive, the Bills found themselves in a 4th-and-2 situation at the 50-yard line. They had already successfully converted a 4th-and-1 from their own 39-yard line earlier in the drive, but McDermott chose to punt rather than risk turning the ball over to the Ravens with a failed conversion.
Baltimore responded immediately, with running back Derrick Henry breaking off an 87-yard touchdown run on the first play of the ensuing possession, putting the Ravens up early. McDermott admitted afterward that in hindsight, the decision to punt may have been a mistake.
This has to be one of the stupidest play calls of the year
Buffalo had all the momentum, you were methodically driving it down the field
Then you call this, you lose the ball, and your QB takes a massive hit
Great job Sean McDermott, seriously
“At that point in the game, it just didn’t feel like the right time to take a chance,” McDermott said. “Looking back, I can see how that turned momentum.”
Despite the tough loss, Josh Allen remained optimistic, focusing on the lessons the team could take from the defeat. The Bills’ star quarterback acknowledged that the Ravens outplayed them, but he refused to dwell on the negatives.
“They came out with urgency and whooped our butt,” Allen said after the game. “But not everything was bad. I don’t want us coming away from this thinking we’re the worst. There’s a lot to learn from this game, and I’m glad it happened early in the season so we can correct things.”
The Bills will look to rebound in Week 5 as they hit the road to face the Houston Texans. The game will also mark the first time the Bills face off against former star wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who now plays for the Texans.
The loss against the Ravens, while disappointing, offers the Bills a chance to regroup and learn from their mistakes, with McDermott’s and Brady’s play calls serving as key moments of reflection for the team moving forward.
