NFL fans usually use the term “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 about 16 degrees as light snow fell on the field. It made the ball slippery and harder to catch and made the tackles hurt just that little bit more.
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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen passes against the Baltimore Ravens in the second quarter of the divisional playoff game, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
The Bills held the lead in the fourth quarter with two Tyler Bass field goals and won the game, 27–25.
It was the Ravens who felt the brunt of the conditions late in the game.
Lamar Jackson found tight end Mark Andrews for a 16-yard completion with 8:50 left in the game. 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 hang up 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 by two points.
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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) passes the ball to running back Derrick Henry during the first quarter Sunday night. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Baltimore was set for the 2-point conversion attempt. Jackson broke out to his right and had Andrews open. The ball went into the veteran tight end’s hands, but he couldn’t come up with the catch. The Bills breathed a sigh of relief and closed out the game.
Josh Allen finished with two rushing touchdowns in the game. He was 16-of-22 passing for 127 yards.
For the Ravens, their magical season ended.
Jackson was 18-of-25 with 254 passing yards, two touchdown passes and an interception. The Bills’ defense held Derrick Henry to 84 rushing yards. It was the fewest yards he had since Dec. 15 against the New York Giants.
The Bills then face the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship with a trip to Super Bowl LIX on the line. Buffalo beat Kansas City on Nov. 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 in the second quarter on Sunday. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Buffalo has not made a Super Bowl since the 1993 season. They have never won a Super Bowl. It will be their first conference championship game since the 2020 season. They lost to the Chiefs in that game.
