Ravens' Quarterback Hierarchy Crumbles in Bills' 36-10 Win

The Baltimore Ravens lost starting quarterback Lamar Jackson and backup Tyler Huntley to injuries in the first half of their 36-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Nov. 1. Jackson injured the thumb on his right throwing hand on Baltimore’s first offensive snap; Huntley hurt his toe while being sacked and losing a fumble on the team’s fourth series. Baltimore finished with emergency third-string quarterback Joe Fagnano, an undrafted rookie, making his NFL debut. One team’s depth chart became the other team’s opening.

When the Starters Went Down

Jackson’s anticipated return after missing three games with an ankle injury lasted one play. His hand struck Bills edge rusher Greg Rousseau’s arm as Jackson attempted a pass to Zay Flowers. Ravens coach Jesse Minter said the injury “could be season-ending,” that Jackson would go on injured reserve and that he would need surgery. Jackson later returned to the sideline with his thumb in a splint.

Huntley replaced Jackson, then went down too. He injured his toe while being sacked and losing a fumble, leaving Baltimore to turn to Fagnano. The rookie completed 10 of 21 passes for 91 yards and threw an interception. The numbers tell the immediate cost of losing the two quarterbacks who stood ahead of him in the team’s hierarchy.

It remained unclear whether Huntley would be available for Baltimore’s short week before hosting Jacksonville on Thursday night. The Ravens were 4-4 after losing three straight. Nate Wiggins was evaluated for a concussion in the fourth quarter, while Bills wide receiver Josh Palmer was ruled out after injuring his right hamstring while trying to run down a deep pass in the first quarter.

Buffalo Takes Control

Baltimore cut Buffalo’s lead to 16-10 with Tyler Loop’s 26-yard field goal to open the second half. The Bills then scored touchdowns on three of their first four drives after halftime. James Cook ran in a five-yard score, set up by Josh Allen’s 49-yard completion to DJ Moore; Dalton Kincaid caught a 23-yard touchdown pass, and Moore followed with an 11-yard touchdown reception on consecutive fourth-quarter possessions.

Allen threw for 289 yards, completed 21 of 34 passes, threw two touchdowns and had one interception. He also ran for a touchdown. Buffalo’s defense forced three turnovers, stopped Baltimore on fourth down, recorded four sacks and held the Ravens to 144 total yards. The performance marked a step forward for a defense that had been among the NFL’s statistically worst and had allowed at least 29 points in five of six games.

The first half brought five turnovers, three by Baltimore, and 10 penalties for 87 yards against Buffalo. Loop missed a 34-yard field goal, and a holding penalty erased a rushing touchdown by Derrick Henry. Henry later scored Baltimore’s only touchdown on a two-yard run.

Records, Injuries and the Next Games

Buffalo improved to 6-1, its ninth such start in franchise history, and remained atop the AFC East. Allen won his 102nd career game, including playoffs, moving ahead of Tom Brady for third among players through their first nine seasons. Buffalo had also won nine straight games under Allen coming out of its bye week.

Tyler Bass made all three of his field-goal attempts, including a 56-yarder, and extended his streak to 21 consecutive makes. That broke the Bills franchise record of 18, set by Rian Lindell in 2007. Bass missed all of last season with pelvis and groin injuries; his most recent miss had come in December 2024. Henry’s touchdown was the 136th of his career from scrimmage, tying Marshall Faulk for fourth on the NFL list.

Baltimore was scheduled to host Jacksonville on Thursday night. Buffalo was scheduled to travel to play the Minnesota Vikings on “Monday Night Football” on Nov. 9. On Sunday, the Bills’ second-half surge settled the score; Baltimore’s injury chain left its emergency quarterback carrying the final stretch.