TheBaltimore Ravens' 36-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills produced plenty of headlines, but some of the most revealing details were buried beneath Lamar Jackson's injury and another disappointing result. Baltimore had unusual defensive contributions, an unprecedented quarterback predicament, and a special teams performance that highlighted just how little the offense accomplished.
Here are some deeper observations fromSunday's game that stretch beyond the final score. All deserve a closer look.
Baltimore's defense produced an unusual combination of firsts
Broderick Washington Jr. and T.J. Tampa each recorded a career first on Sunday. Washington recorded his first career interception after Buffalo tight end Jackson Hawes bobbled Josh Allen's throw, while Tampa recovered his first career fumble in his first game
since suffering a knee injury in Week 1.
Washington's interception was Baltimore's first takeaway since Week 5's walk-off interception by Kyle Hamilton. The Ravens finally generated some momentum-changing plays. On the offensive side of the ball. Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers was held without a catch for the first time in his four-year career. Flowers was targeted five times.
Per ESPN's Jamison Hensley, Baltimore is the first team since the 2017 Dallas Cowboys to have three QBs throw a pass before halftime. The last time three quarterbacks appeared in a regular-season game for the Ravens was Nov. 26, 2000.
Buffalo's defense found a formula that exposed a weakness in the Ravens' passing game
Per the Bills' official website, Buffalo blitzed 20 times, its season-high, and Baltimore averaged just 2.5 yards per play against the extra pressure. The Ravens also converted only three of 13 third-down opportunities, making it difficult to sustain drives or give their defense meaningful rest.
Eight of those blitzes came on third down. Safety Cole Bishop made one particularly damaging contribution, getting to Huntley for a strip-sack that led to a Buffalo field goal. The Bills finished with four sacks and 12 quarterback hits, with eight different defenders recording at least one hit.
The quarterback injuries obviously complicated Baltimore's ability to handle the pressure, but the numbers also expose a broader concern. The Ravens couldn't consistently punish Buffalo for bringing extra defenders, and that became harder as the game progressed.
Baltimore's return game produced more yards than its offense
This might be the strangest statistical comparison from Sunday's defeat. Baltimore's kickoff return unit accumulated 218 yards on eight returns, while the entire offense managed just 144 yards. The return team actually outgained the offense by 74 yards.
Rasheen Ali provided the biggest contribution with 147 yards on five returns, including a season-long 59-yard return. LaJohntay Wester added another 71 yards on three returns. Yet those efforts couldn't compensate for an offense that averaged just 2.9 yards per play and struggled to move the football regardless of who was taking snaps.
It's an unusual distinction for a team that entered the season expecting its offense to be a major strength. Baltimore's return unit was generating field position, but the offense couldn't turn those opportunities into production.
Ravens found themselves on the wrong side of history
Josh Allen passed Hall of Famer Jim Kelly for the most touchdown passes in Bills history with his 259th career scoring throw. Kelly attended to witness the milestone. It was another reminder of the contrast between Buffalo's historic afternoon and Baltimore's increasingly difficult season.
Worth mentioning: Let's end this on a high note. Derrick Henry scored Baltimore's only touchdown, reaching 136 career touchdowns from scrimmage and tying Marshall Faulk, who finished his 12-year career with 136 combined rushing and receiving scores. Henry reached 40 rushing touchdowns with the Ravens, adding to the 90 he scored with Tennessee.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Ravens’ return unit outgained offense in 36-10 loss to Bills
