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The Express Gazette
Saturday, March 28, 2026

Ravens Race Back to Field After Halftime Confusion, Bills Kick Field Goal

Baltimore players began heading for the locker room late in the first half before replay showed one second remained and Buffalo converted a field goal; Derrick Henry dominated early for the Ravens.

Sports 7 months ago
Ravens Race Back to Field After Halftime Confusion, Bills Kick Field Goal

Baltimore Ravens players briefly headed toward their locker room late in the first half of Sunday Night Football after believing the first half had ended, only to rush back to the sideline when a replay review showed one second remained on the clock and the Buffalo Bills converted a field goal.

With 30 seconds left in the second quarter, the Bills marched into Baltimore territory on two plays that closed the half. On the second play, Bills quarterback Josh Allen targeted tight end Dalton Kincaid. Kincaid appeared to hit the ground as time expired, prompting several Ravens — including quarterback Lamar Jackson — to begin jogging toward the tunnel. Officials reviewed the sequence and determined Kincaid had gone out of bounds with one second remaining, giving Buffalo one final chance. Kicker Matt Prater then converted a field goal to make it 20-13 at the break.

Officials ruled that Kincaid hit the ground approximately one second before the half ended, prompting the reversal of what initially looked like the end of the first half. The brief confusion forced multiple Ravens players who had already started toward the locker room to sprint back onto the field in time to watch Prater's kick.

The sequence capped a half in which Baltimore's running game largely set the tone. Veteran running back Derrick Henry rushed for 123 yards and a touchdown on nine carries in the first half, powering the Ravens' first scoring drive. Jackson added a rushing touchdown on the following drive to extend the lead before Buffalo's late flurry.

Baltimore opened the second half with momentum. On the first drive after intermission, Jackson connected with wide receiver Zay Flowers on consecutive plays for a combined 62 yards, the second resulting in a touchdown catch that sustained the Ravens' offensive rhythm.

The miscued exit highlighted the fine margins of end-of-half situations and the role replay plays in clarifying tight timing decisions. Officials and team staff coordinated to reset the clock, and play resumed without further incident. The Bills' late push reduced Baltimore's halftime advantage and set up a competitive third quarter.

The game continued with both teams adjusting after the unusual stoppage. Coaches and players said little on the field immediately following the sequence, and neither team issued an official statement in the moments after the break. League rules allow for review of timing plays in such situations, and the replay decision stood as the final call.

The incident served as a reminder of how quickly momentum and positioning can change in the final seconds of a half, and it underscored the importance of remaining prepared until officials confirm play has officially stopped.


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