ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Josh Allen galloped into the back of the end zone, looked into the stands and flexed.
The Buffalo Bills quarterback just found his way into the end zone as his offensive line, led by center Connor McGovern, guided the way. The score stretched the Bills lead to 21-10 over the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round, a game that saw the Ravens come back late, but the Bills ultimately held on for a 27-25 win to advance to the AFC Championship. A dropped, would-be two-point conversion attempt by Mark Andrews and a subsequent onside kick recovery helped seal the win for Buffalo.
This will be the second AFC Championship of Allen's career and ends a streak of three straight divisional round losses.
Allen did not have one of his eye-popping passing performances in the match of the MVP favorites -- completing 16-of-22 passes for 127 yards -- but he led the offense to rushing touchdowns on three of four first-half drives. The quarterback also had eight carries for 22 yards.
He was supported by a rushing attack that included running back James Cook gaining 67 yards on 17 carries and kicker Tyler Bass making both of his field goal attempts, including a 51-yard kick. The Bills went 10-0 at home this season, tying their most home wins in a season in franchise history (1990).
The win sets up yet another postseason matchup between the Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs. This will be the second AFC Championship meeting involving Allen and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes -- 2020 in Kansas City was the other -- and the fourth time the quarterbacks have met in the playoffs. The Chiefs have won the previous three games.
Buffalo Bills (15-4)
Describe the game in two words: Statement made. Pivotal play: Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard forcing and recovering a Mark Andrews fumble in the fourth quarter. Troubling trend: Third-down defense.
Next game: at Kansas City Chiefs (6:30 p.m. ET, CBS, Sunday)
Baltimore Ravens (13-6)
Jackson delivered a performance that was unlike any game this season -- but was eerily reminiscent of his playoff struggles. Troubling trend: The Ravens' struggles on two-point conversions. Pivotal play: Jackson's fumble in the second quarter.
Describe the game in two words: Uncharacteristic mistakes.
