NFL fans commonly use the phrase “frozen tundra” to describe the conditions at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. But on Sunday night, it could have been used to describe the field at Highmark Stadium for the playoff game between the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens.
Temperatures in Orchard Park, New York, dropped to around 16 degrees as light snow fell on the field. This made the ball slippery and harder to catch and made tackles a little more painful.
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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen passes against the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter of the divisional playoff game Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Orchard Park, NY (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
The Bills held the lead in the fourth quarter with two baskets from Tyler Bass and won the game 27-25.
It was the Ravens who suffered the repercussions of the conditions at the end of the match.
Lamar Jackson found tight end Mark Andrews for a 16-yard run with 8:50 left. But Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard knocked the ball out of Andrews’ hands and Buffalo recovered the fumble. It was one of three turnovers Baltimore committed.
It was far from over.
Jackson and the Ravens could still tie the game. He led the team on an eight-play, 88-yard drive that ended with a 24-yard touchdown pass to Isiah Likely. The Ravens were down two points.
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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) hands the ball to running back Derrick Henry during the first quarter Sunday night. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Baltimore prepared for the 2-point conversion attempt. Jackson escaped to his right and got Andrews open. The ball went into the hands of the veteran closer, but he couldn’t catch the ball. The Bills breathed a sigh of relief and closed out the game.
Josh Allen finished with two rushing touchdowns in the game. He completed 16 of 22 passes for 127 yards.
For the Ravens, their magical season was coming to an end.
Jackson finished 18 of 25 with 254 passing yards, two touchdowns and an interception. The Bills defense held Derrick Henry to 84 yards rushing. It was the fewest yards he had since Dec. 15 against the New York Giants.
The Bills will next meet the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship with a trip to Super Bowl LIX on the line. Buffalo defeated Kansas City on November 17, 30-21.
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir (10) celebrates with quarterback Josh Allen (17) and tight end Dawson Knox after a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter on Sunday. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Buffalo hasn’t been to the Super Bowl since the 1993 season. They have never won a Super Bowl. This will be their first conference championship game since the 2020 season. They lost to the Chiefs in this game.
