Ravens Blow 15-Point Fourth Quarter Lead Against Bills in Season Opener

The Baltimore Ravens suffered a heartbreaking 41-40 loss to the Buffalo Bills after blowing a 15-point lead late in the fourth quarter, prompting sharp criticism of head coach John Harbaugh's decisions. Sports commentator Skip Bayless and NFL Hall of Famer Cris Carter criticized the Ravens' defensive lapses and specifically Harbaugh's choice to punt on a critical 4th-and-3 with less than two minutes remaining, a move Harbaugh defended as the conventional option given the risk of giving the Bills field goal range. Harbaugh acknowledged the defense's failure to contain Bills quarterback Josh Allen, highlighting difficulties in keeping him in the pocket and executing the game plan during the final moments. He reflected on the team's recurring struggles with maintaining late leads, noting that the Ravens have experienced various fourth-quarter scenarios, including comebacks and wins, but also painful losses like this one. Despite having timeouts and the opportunity to attempt a fourth-down conversion, Harbaugh opted to punt, reasoning that most coaches would make the same decision given the circumstances. The loss underscores ongoing concerns about the Ravens' psychological resilience and strategic choices in high-pressure situations.