Buffalo improved to 6-1 while Baltimore’s attempt to welcome back its starter turned into an emergency-quarterback afternoon.

The Buffalo Bills defeated the Baltimore Ravens 36-10 on Sunday at Highmark Stadium, improving to 6-1 as injuries removed Baltimore's first two quarterbacks from the game. The Ravens fell to 4-4 with their third consecutive defeat.

File photo: Josh Allen playing against Washington at Highmark Stadium on September 26, 2021; not the 2026 Ravens game. Photo: All-Pro Reels. Source photograph · CC BY-SA 2.0.

The Bills' official recap described a lead maintained from the opening possession through the finish. Baltimore's game report centered on the losses of Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley and the resulting debut of undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano.

The anticipated return lasts one play

Jackson had returned after missing three games with an ankle injury. He hurt his right thumb on Baltimore's first offensive play, then Huntley left with a toe injury in the second quarter. The combination left Fagnano handling his first regular-season NFL action against a defense already creating pressure.

Buffalo finished with four sacks and 12 quarterback hits. Fagnano's 10 completions on 21 attempts produced 91 yards, with an interception and a lost fumble. Those figures describe the difficulty of the assignment without placing the whole defeat on an emergency replacement.

The Ravens' offense had to change plans twice before halftime. That disruption also affected the support it could give a defense trying to keep the game within reach.

Buffalo makes the advantage hold

The Bills' win was their 12th consecutive victory after a bye, according to the team. The club also said Joe Brady became the first coach in franchise history to begin his head-coaching tenure 6-1.

One important defensive sequence came when Cole Bishop reached Huntley on a blitz and forced a fumble, which Kaleb Elarms-Orr recovered at Baltimore's 20-yard line. It was the kind of play that gave Buffalo more than a stop: it offered the offense favorable field position while Baltimore was already managing uncertainty at quarterback.

Different questions for the next week

For Buffalo, the result reinforces a strong start and an ability to keep pressure on a compromised opponent. For Baltimore, the score is only part of the consequence. The team's later update said Jackson will require thumb surgery and be placed on injured reserve.

Baltimore now has to prepare for Jacksonville on Thursday with its quarterback situation unresolved. Buffalo can build from a convincing win; the Ravens must establish who is available before deciding how to attack the next game. Read more in Taken Social's Sports section.