Jackson throws 3 TDs as Ravens extend Bills’ winless start, 34-27

Orchard Park, NY - Lamar Jackson threw three touchdown passes, and the Baltimore Ravens extended Buffalo's winless start with a 34-27 victory over the Bills in Week 8.

Jackson completed 20 of 26 passes for a game-high 238 yards and finished with a 142.7 passer rating. Baltimore also received a late touchdown from Jarquez Hunter, who scored on a 2-yard run with 1:57 remaining in the fourth quarter. Tyler Loop made the extra point.

The result gave Baltimore a third consecutive victory after the Ravens entered the week at 4-3 with two straight wins. Buffalo, meanwhile, fell from 0-6 to 0-7 despite a huge all-purpose performance from James Cook III.

Jackson distributed his three touchdown passes among three of Baltimore's leading playmakers. Zay Flowers caught three passes for a game-high 81 receiving yards and a touchdown, including the game's longest reception at 51 yards. Mark Andrews added six catches for 78 yards and a score, while Derrick Henry caught five passes for 28 yards and another touchdown.

"We got the ball to different guys, and they finished in the end zone," Jackson said. "Completing that many passes is good, but the win is what matters. We were able to get production from a lot of places."

Baltimore's offense was nearly even between its net passing and rushing totals, finishing with 220 passing yards and 203 yards on the ground. Henry carried 22 times for 137 yards, including a 34-yard run, and Jackson added 54 rushing yards on nine attempts. The Ravens closed with 423 offensive yards and 22 first downs.

That production came with strong situational numbers. Baltimore converted 7 of 12 third downs and scored touchdowns on three of its four red-zone trips. The Ravens did not record a field goal on those possessions inside the 20.

"There was room for both parts of the offense to contribute," Henry said. "I wanted to be physical with every carry and also be available when the ball came my way. We had a lot of guys involved."

Cook provided Buffalo's most productive performance. He rushed for a game-high 189 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries, the most rushing attempts in the game. His 58-yard run was also the game's longest. Cook added seven receptions for a team-high 69 yards, giving the Bills a consistent source of yardage both on the ground and through the passing game.

Buffalo finished with 189 rushing yards as a team, all credited to Cook, and 300 offensive yards overall. The Bills recorded 13 first downs and converted 4 of 11 third-down attempts, but they went 0-for-2 on fourth down. They also made three red-zone trips without scoring a touchdown or field goal.

"You can move the ball and still walk away disappointed," Cook said. "We had three red-zone trips and didn't score there. When the result is another loss, the yards don't feel like enough."

Josh Allen completed 16 of 24 passes for 117 yards and a 77.9 passer rating, with a long completion of 19 yards. Baltimore limited Buffalo to 111 net passing yards and recorded one sack. The Bills produced two sacks but did not intercept Jackson.

The contrast between the quarterbacks was considerable. Jackson threw for 121 more yards than Allen and accounted for all three of Baltimore's passing touchdowns. Buffalo's offense leaned more heavily on Cook, whose rushing total exceeded the Bills' net passing output by 78 yards.

For Baltimore, the seven-point road win continued a run that began before Week 8 and moved the Ravens beyond their 4-3 starting mark. For Buffalo, Cook's two rushing touchdowns and game-high yardage were not enough to prevent a seventh consecutive defeat. The Bills remain without a victory at 0-7.

Up Next

The Ravens return home in Week 9 to host the Jacksonville Jaguars as they look to follow up their third straight win. The Bills will travel to face the Minnesota Vikings, still searching for their first victory.