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'We had unwavering belief in ourselves' | Bills players react to beating the Ravens and advancing to the AFC Championship Game

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In one of the most anticipated games of the 2024 postseason, the Buffalo Bills defeated the Baltimore Ravens 27-25 on Sunday night to advance to the AFC Championship game.

The two teams played in a nail-biter that came down to the last two minutes of the game.

"What a blessing it is tonight to be here, to be in front of these fans and coach in an environment like that," head coach Sean McDermott said. "Two great teams going up against each other, two great quarterbacks going up against each other as well. And just really thankful for the blessing that God gave us tonight, and just opportunity to be out there."

LB Terrel Bernard spoke on the opportunity to play the Baltimore Ravens for a second time this season and prove themselves after they lost in Week 4. Bernard was one of the defensive players that missed that game due to injury.

"They're a really good team, a really good offense," Bernard said. "We didn't feel like we put our best foot forward in Week 4. Thankful to just have the opportunity to come out here and compete again. So happy for the guys and so happy for these fans."

RB Ty Johnson said that they were able to learn from what they did wrong in Week 4 and created opportunities for themselves in this game.

"Obviously, we're not the same team as Week 4," Johnson said. "We had a few ups and downs, had to figure out some things from Week 4… All week we chose us and that was the difference. We had unwavering belief in ourselves."

QB Josh Allen said on CBS after the game that although this team was doubted all season from the outside, he was proud of his team and in particular, the defense.

"How about that Buffalo Bills defense? All year, this team has heard we've got no talent, we're too small, we can't stop the run, we're not good enough to compete," Allen said. "We've just put our head down and worked hard. I'm so proud of our defense. I'm so proud of our offense and special teams. What a complete win."

The Ravens scored the touchdown that brought them within two points with 1:44 left in the fourth quarter, but a TE Mark Andrews drop on the two-point conversion left the Bills up by two. It came down to the onsides kick recovery that CB Rasul Douglas hauled in and fell on top of.

Douglas said that he works on those recoveries with the special teams unit every Thursday for 10 minutes after practice and that it was satisfying to have it come into his hands.

"The look on Smiley and them's faces when the ball got kicked to me and I caught it and I fell down - priceless," Douglas said.

One key piece for the Buffalo Bills defense who did not play in the divisional round last season was LB Terrel Bernard.

"Something I was thinking about all week - not having the opportunity to play in this game last year, so to be able to be out there and help contribute and try to do everything that I could to help the team win it was on my mind all week," Bernard said.

Bernard's presence was felt on the field as he ended the game with four total tackles and a strip of TE Mark Andrews in the fourth quarter that prevented the Ravens from having an opportunity to score.

"TB is always good for making a play," S Damar Hamlin said. "TB always shows up. He's our captain, he's our leader, he's our communicator. He does a lot for us. This ship is not the same without Terrel Bernard. I think having him back was a big difference in today's game versus the first game, too."

The offense was able to capitalize off the fumble and score the field goal that extended the lead to eight points.

"Understanding the flow of the game there and knowing that if we got points there, whether it was three or six, it made it a full one score game where they had to go for two," Allen said. "And that's why on that fourth and two, obviously we elected to kick, give our defense a chance to go out there and play."

McDermott said after the game that their mindset throughout the week is what helped them come through with the victory after stumbling in the divisional round in years past.

"The mindset is what it's all about," McDermott said. "These guys believed, played to win, and you find a way. Every year's different. There's different reasons for everything – every one of those situations that didn't end up in our favor, and then the same thing tonight."

The Bills played their final game at home this season and completed a perfect 10-0 at home.

"Finishing 10-0 at home this year, just incredible," McDermott said. "The environment that our fans build here, every Sunday, it's not like that around the NFL, and we don't take that for granted," McDermott said.

"It's the city of winners. It really is. It's the city of winners. These people in this town are winners. And I've been here just eight years, but I consider this my hometown. This place is different and the people here are different."

See how the Bills celebrated their Divisional Round win over the Ravens. This gallery is presented by Ticketmaster.

Next for the Bills is their first AFC Championship game since the 2020 season against the Kansas City Chiefs.

"I just know we're going to work hard," Allen said. "We're going to have a heck of a week. We're going to enjoy this one tonight, turn our attention to the Chiefs tomorrow. We know what they are. They're the perennial of what you want to be in the NFL. You've got to beat them to get past them."

While they are celebrating the win, their focus is on the Chiefs who will be playing at home.

"One day at a time, get in, watch our film and then prepare for them," Johnson said. "That's what it is. Take it one day at a time, one game at a time."

Allen said that they will do whatever it takes to win, and their preparation starts on Monday morning.

"Do whatever it takes to get a win, that's all that matters," Allen said. "It starts tomorrow, we'll enjoy this one tonight and turn our attention towards them tomorrow."

Check out the best game photos from the Bills Divisional Round game against the Ravens at Highmark Stadium. This gallery is presented by Gabe's Collision.

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